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MAGNUS THORSEN - VALHALLA RISING
INDEPENDENT
METAL TO INFINITY
Probably, some of you outhere might think about dealing here at the moment with a solo musician because of the name. Magnus Thorsen is really the name of a full outfit included great guitar player / vocalist M.T. himself, surrounded by other musicians like Proscriptor McGovern of Absu, ex-Axe keyboard player Edgar Riley Jr and bassist Steven Roses. Magnus build up this formation in late 2005, shortly after he found the right guys to complete the lineup, recordings started right on. Nine songs were recorded back then, only five are taken to be released on a first EP entitled "Valhalla Rising".
An independent work made by and for true Epic Heavy Metal fanatics although there's also place for all maniacs into Power or Gothenburg Metal with a little wink to Melodic Black Metal. No shreeking vocals, instead Magnus' vocals are quite clean and reminds me of Tomas Forsberg (better known as Quorthon from legendary Bathory who unfortunately died due to a heart faillure!) during the period of the "Hammerheart" release. Mangnus (also a member of the army of Jomsborg) isn't a world-class singer but what he presents as guitar player is awesome! Damn sure, he can play what he proves on some of the songs. This is an overwhelming form of guitar picking!
The sound of "Valhalla Rising" is average, still i'm pretty satisfied with the final results. It's a self financed effort, aimed to a broad public. Melodic Power / Heavy Metal fans as well as quite extreme Metal worshippers gonna live it up to the bone. Sometimes the drums rhythmns are extremely fast which gives a Black Metal feel (at least that's what i thought) but a few moments later, a tempo changing occurs which is great to listen at. I'm not a Black Metal fan at all! A band like Magnus Thorsen is different than te rest.
They are able to bring everything in a very attractive manner forward. The level which they play now is really acceptable, even for an old school Metal maniac like me. For me a pleasant surprise meeting a band like Magnus Thorsen - a surpise i definitely want to share with all of you. Good EP, skilled musicians and i'm already longing to hear more of these guys.
Check out more at: www.magnusthorsen.com or email at: chaosknight4@yahoo.com MY POINTS: 86 / 100