Power from the North
Sweden Rocks the World
Phantom Music
Power From the North – Sweden Rocks the World is one kick ass album. The idea behind this album “was to let today’s Swedish bands present their forerunners by covering one of their songs.” Although I consider myself a fan of Swedish Metal, I didn’t really come into it until the early 90’s when Entombed was making waves over here with Left Hand Path . Consider Power from the North the Cliff’s Notes for Swedish Metal/Hard Rock. The thing that makes this compilation so darn interesting is the fact that the songs are so fresh and invigorating. Granted, I have never listened to any of the originals that are covered on this album. Maybe, that’s why I enjoy Power from the North so much; it’s all kick ass bands doing cover songs from their favorite artists but without losing their own uniqueness. There is so much variety on this album that it’s almost hard to be bored.
The disc starts off with In Flames’ version of the Treat song “World of Promises,” which comes across as a super melodic song with an sharp edge. This song and every other is perfectly recorded. Next comes Lost Souls updating the thrash style of Agony’s “Deadly Legacy.” Locomotive Breath are right on target with the Europe classic “Scream of Anger.” Next is Entombed, with their rendition of Stillborn’s “Albino Flogged In Black.” Yngwie Malmsteen is covered twice, with Glory doing “You Don’t Remember, I’ll Never Forget” and SouthPaw doing “Disciples of Hell.” The Crown (formerly known as Crown of Thorns) do a blazing cover of the Bathory’s “Burning Leather.” Hammerfall are right at home with the Heavy Load song “Run with the Devil.” Gooseflesh give new meaning to “Boogie Woogie Man,” originally done by Trash. The Haunted kick it up a notch with the Candlemass crusher “Well of Souls.” And, finally, Meshuggah represent with their version of a song written by Whimzy, “Attacked by a Shark.”
My personal favorites are: first, Entombed who might fool some listeners with their Misfits-style approach. Second, the Crown are devastatingly precise with their Bathory cover. And, finally, the Haunted definitely come through on the Candlemass cover, which I’m sure was no easy task. Besides, don’t just take my word for it, there is just too much variety on this album for it to not be liked by someone somehow.
