For over three decades, Unleashed have been waging war through their distinct style of Swedish death metal. Fire Upon Your Lands, their 15th album, is releasing August 15 via the aptly named Napalm Records, and carries on the extensive concept birthed by lead vocalist and bassist, Johnny Hedlund.
“The storyline is about the Midgard Warriors against their main enemy, ‘White Christ,'” begins the renowned frontman. “The story is from a book that a friend and I wrote for many years but never finished. The past six records have been about the same storyline, and it is safe to say that I made the chapters into songs, so to speak.”
Hedlund puts all mystery to rest as to whether the new record will be their last, divulging, “At the end of this album, on their way home to Svithiod, they (Midgard Warriors) encounter an enemy in the Midjardarhaf (Mediterranean Sea). On the next album, the name of the enemy will be revealed.”
Unleashed has carried the Viking flag since their inception, with Hedlund tackling subject matter in the vein of Norse/Scandinavian lore. “It is my heritage, and, of course, it is how I live, and it seemed very real to connect what I practiced in everyday life in the lyrics.” The majestic growler continues on his calling, “When I was a kid, they refused to teach about Norse tradition in school—You know there must be something good about it, something worthy of a song.”
Fire Upon Your Lands exhibits Hedlund’s signature bellow and bass tone, drums that barrel over any battalion, and galvanizing guitars. Extending on the latter, the guitar solos provide striking emotion and imagery, standing out as dramatic twists in the battles. “I’d say they are in the right atmosphere all the time,” says Hedlund on the leads. “I make the lyrics after I hear the songs and solos, so it all has to fit. It is really just a feeling.”
When it comes to the evolution of the Swedish death metal scene, which has produced oodles of touted acts like At the Gates, Entombed, and Dismember, Hedlund comments on its solid longevity, “I’d say it hasn’t changed all that much. I guess some of us have gotten older,” he chuckles then continues. “And, well, a thing that has changed since back in the day is the fact that you can get a beer if you like at the shows.”
What also hasn’t changed is the core lineup of Unleashed. “You know, the Aesir seems to be on my side after all,” jokes Hedlund. “From the beginning, we agreed on what Unleashed should be all about, what we wanted to play, and, perhaps even more important, what not to play. Therefore, there are few or no battles every time we make an album,” he says. “We are also good friends. That is a must or you will kill each other. Last but not least, we all help out in everything that concerns the band. This is extremely important if you want to last a long time, since most of the work won’t give a salary anyway. It has to be enjoyable.”
As far as Unleashed’s legacy is concerned, Hedlund proclaims, “I hope people look back at the band with pride, that they have been participating in our shows and a lifetime of struggle. I hope they think we have given them some courage in times of trouble, and, hopefully, they find that we did tell a story of the Viking tradition that was genuine, true, and meant something valuable.” Indeed, Unleashed have always stuck to their roots, which are undoubtedly their source of strength in times of war. Hail Odin!
Fire Upon Your Lands is out Friday, and you can preorder it from Napalm Records. Follow Unleashed on Facebook and Instagram for future updates.
Photo Credit: Jens Rydén
