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Northern Steel

    
       
       
       
     
             
Neptune are a heavy metal band from Sweden, originally forming as Warriors in 1979, changing their name to Neptune in 1980, and releasing four demo's before disbanding in 1987. Reforming many years later, the band released the four song E.P. 'The Last Flight Of The Rafven' in 2019, and their first full length album 'Northern Steel' in 2020.    
             
Neptune were one of Sweden's earliest metal bands, releasing a number of demo's during the mid eighties, and even recording their first album. However, for several reasons it did not emerge, the album was shelved, and the band split up. After the 2018 compilation 'Land Of Northern' - a compilation of the bands early demo's - the band went on to release their debut E.P. In 2019, the bands original singer Ray Alex sadly passed away, leaving the future of the band uncertain. However, Rays brother Rowland, the bands current bass player, stepped up to become the new singer, with the band moving forward, and releasing their debut album 'Northern Steel'.    
             
Now imagine just for a moment what legendary American metallers Manowar would have sounded like if they were actually European... And then listen to 'Northern Steel' to hear if you imagined correctly - for Neptune are as much anthemic power metal as Manowar ever was. The bands debut album 'Northern Steel', features ten anthems rooted in the epic and glory genres of heavy metal, and begins with the hugely anthemic 'Viking Stone'. A melodic mid tempo and very heavy hitting opener, 'Viking Stone' has the feel of a call to arms or a gathering of the clan. 'Last Man Standing' changes the pace of the album by a couple of gears, storming out of the blocks and romping along, ala the traditional style of European power metal. Highly melodic and infectious, 'Last Man Standing' also delivers a cracking sing a long style chorus.    
             
And now for the Manowar comparison... 'Fallen Nations' is the only evidence you will ever need - a slow thumping rhythm, chopping guitars, beef and punch in abundance, and a hymn like vibe. Pure melodic power metal takes front and centre with 'Angels', a bombastic blast of head nodding and foot tapping infectiousness. And after just four songs, Neptune have etched their name deeper into the annals of epic and glory styles of metal. The title song 'Northern Steel', is energetic and full of fizz, melding beautifully with the majestic swagger of mid tempo melodic metal - with 'Black Rain' much the same, except for a much more atmospheric and tension filled feeling. Neptune are tantalising the senses with an edge of your seat awe and wonder. Switching gears and intensity, Neptune turn heavy metal for 'Run For Your Life'. A much more traditional metal offering, the band reclaim an aura of the eighties heyday, the decade of evolution when bands such as Iron Maiden, Judas Priest and Saxon were defining the sound of traditional heavy metal.    
             
Moving swiftly into ballad territory, 'Land Of Northern' ignites lighters everywhere, with fans holding them high. A much more mellow and sublime offering than anything heard so far, 'Land Of Northern' is a big, booming hymn like swagger that will have everyone up on their feet singing along. And now for one of the best songs the album has to offer - 'Seriously' is seriously a crowd pleaser. It has energy, an addictive rhythm, a sing a long style chorus, and foot tapping rhythm that intoxicates and overwhelms. 'Seriously' is a breath taking effort. Neptune return the majestic melodic march to the album in the mighty shape of the ground shuddering 'Ruler Of The Sea'. And as the final song appears over the horizon, Sweden have once again shown the rest of the world just how fucking strong the Swedish metal scene is. Over the last few years some of the worlds biggest metal albums have flown the Swedish flag. 'Vanheim' ends the album, and is a departure from what has gone before. Soaring operatic female vocals singing scales, a male vocal spoken word passage that sounds more like a narration, and what sounds like a flute and possibly a violin. 'Vanheim' is far far away from the style of metal Neptune have shown for the majority of 'Northern Steel'.    
             
Overall, a punchy and anthemic stroll through the epic and glory styles of heavy metal, Neptune have delivered a very infectious album.    
             
             
Review by Iron Mathew Collins    
             
Reviewed for Metal Gods TV    
             
             
Other Reviews    
             

           
           
The Rebirth E.P.      
           
"a four song foray into the bands early history, Neptune bring to the present day some gems of the past" Read Review      
     
     
     
           
             
             

           
           
End Of Time      
           
"a varied aural assault featuring a multitude of metal styles, 'End Of Time' is infectious, majestic and elegant" Read Review      
     
     
     
           
             
             
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