What makes Hammer of the North by Grand Magus notable?

'Hammer of the North' received critical acclaim for its cohesive sound and songwriting, often cited as a high point in Grand Magus' discography. The album helped further elevate the band's status in the European metal scene, showcasing their ability to blend heaviness with melodic hooks seamlessly. Released on January 1, 2010, 'Hammer of the North' is Grand Magus' fourth studio album, following their 2008 release 'Iron Will'. At this point in their career, the band was solidifying their signature sound that combines elements of traditional heavy metal with stoner and doom influences, establishing themselves as a prominent force in the heavy music scene.

How many songs are on Hammer of the North?

Hammer of the North has 10 tracks, running approximately 47 minutes.

Hammer of the North

Grand Magus · 2010

47 min · 10 tracks · heavy metal

A thunderous blend of heavy riffs and epic melodies, invoking ancient tales through powerful vocals and driving rhythms.

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Top tracks — play these first

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Hammer of the North — The title track encapsulates the album's essence, merging galloping rhythms with anthemic choruses that highlight the band's lyrical focus on Norse mythology.
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Mountains Be My Throne — This track features soaring melodies and a slower tempo that showcase Grand Magus's ability to create atmospheric depth while maintaining heaviness.
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Black Sails — With its infectious chorus and driving riffs, 'Black Sails' represents the band's knack for combining storytelling with powerful musical dynamics.

Elevation

Our rating, out of 100 — and why.

AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.

63 /100

Treeline

Higher than 74% of albums we've rated

The album features strong songwriting and cohesive pacing, making it a solid entry in the heavy metal genre.

What we noticed

The album opens with a powerful track that sets a heavy tone, followed by a consistent mid-tempo pace throughout the first half.
Several tracks feature extended instrumental sections that showcase guitar solos and rhythmic variations, particularly in 'Mountains Be My Throne'.
The last three tracks gradually increase in tempo and intensity, culminating in a climactic finish with 'Ravens Guide Our Way'.

Composition 25% of the score: 7/10
Craft 20% of the score: 8/10
Durability 25% of the score: 6/10
Distinctiveness 18% of the score: 7/10
Sequencing 12% of the score: 8/10

Influence 4/10

Known within its scene. Reported but not counted — how far a record travelled describes its reception rather than the record, and a newer release has had less time to travel than an older one.

Tracklist

Best experienced from track one — press play and let it unfold.

1 I, the Jury 4:14
2 Hammer of the North 5:13
3 Black Sails 5:07
4 Mountains Be My Throne 3:45
5 Northern Star 4:19
6 The Lord of Lies 6:13
7 At Midnight They'll Get Wise 3:44
8 Bond of Blood 4:43
9 Savage Tales 4:42
10 Ravens Guide Our Way 5:52

What to play next

Listen next

The Hunt

2012

Go back to

Iron Will

2008

Full Grand Magus discography Artists like Grand Magus

doom metal heavy metal stoner metal

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