Legions of the North
Månegarm · 2013
50 min · 12 tracks · black metal
A ferocious blend of black metal and folk melodies, echoing ancient Norse themes with a modern power.
Top tracks — play these first
-
→
Legions of the North — The title track captures the essence of the album, combining powerful riffs with anthemic choruses that evoke a sense of warrior spirit and camaraderie.
-
→
Sons of War — This track stands out for its epic narrative and driving rhythms, encapsulating the themes of battle and valor that permeate the album.
-
→
Forged in Fire — With its intricate instrumental arrangement and evocative lyrics, this song exemplifies Månegarm's ability to blend melodic elements with harsh vocals effectively.
Elevation
Our rating, out of 100 — and why.
AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.
The album blends aggressive black metal with folk elements effectively but follows familiar patterns within its genre.
What we noticed
- The album opens with a fast-paced track that features blast beats and aggressive guitar riffs, setting a high energy level that persists through the first half.
- Folk instruments are introduced in several tracks, weaving traditional melodies into the heavy instrumentation, particularly noticeable in 'Tor hjälpe' and 'Echoes From the Past'.
- The last three tracks slow down significantly, incorporating more melodic elements and clean vocals, creating a contrast to the earlier aggression.
- 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
-
6/10
- Sequencing 12% of the score
-
7/10
the writing — melody, harmony, structure, lyrics
production, performance, arrangement
whether it rewards returning to it
whether it sounds like itself
running order, pacing, length
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.
Is this for you?
Good fit if you like
- ferocious energy for intense workouts
- epic narratives of ancient battles
- dynamic shifts in pacing
- cathartic release through powerful crescendos
- invigorating anthems for communal singing
Maybe skip if you
- seek quiet, soothing backgrounds
- prefer short, simple tracks
Where this album fits
- Career context
- Legions of the North is Månegarm's seventh studio album, released in 2013 following their acclaimed album Döden. At this point in their career, they were solidifying their reputation within the Viking metal scene, blending traditional folk influences with aggressive metal roots while exploring mythological themes.
- Stylistic neighbors
- Finntroll· Ensiferum· Korpiklaani
Tracklist
Best experienced from track one — press play and let it unfold.
- 1 Arise 2:26
- 2 Legions of the North 4:44
- 3 Eternity Awaits 5:17
- 4 Helvegr 0:17
- 5 Hordes of Hel 5:07
- 6 Tor hjälpe 5:15
- 7 Vigverk 0:37
- 8 Sons of War 5:36
- 9 Echoes From the Past 6:41
- 10 Fallen 5:21
- 11 Forged in Fire 6:14
- 12 Raadh 3:17
Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata
Sync your library
Everything you track here works immediately — no account needed. Create one when you want to sync across devices.