Various Artists - Power From the North

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VARIOUS ARTISTS

"Power From the North: Sweden Rocks the World" (Nuclear Blast/Phantom)

Throughout the late '90s and into the new millennium, Sweden has proven to be a hotbed of exciting heavy metal bands. "Power From The North: Sweden Rocks The World" is a collection of fifteen of these exciting Swedish bands covering the songs of other Swedish bands that came before them. The current Swedish acts are well-known (In Flames, Entombed, The Crown, Hammerfall, The Haunted, and Meshuggah) and not so well-known (Gooseflesh, Lost Souls, Southpaw, Treasure Land, and others). Some of the bands being covered are well-known the world over (Yngwie J. Malmsteen, Bathory, Europe, John Norum, and Candlemass) and not so well known (Treat, Whimzy, Trash, Heavy Load, November, as well as others).

Here's a complete listing:

In Flames covering Treat's "World Of Promises"
Lost Souls covering Agony's "Deadly Legacy"
Locomotive Breath covering Europe's "Scream Of Anger"
Entombed covering Stillborn's "Albino Flogged In Black"
Lion's Share covering Electric Boys' "Ready To Believe"
Transport League covering Glorious Bankrobbers' "Crazy Sioux"
Glory covering Yngwie J. Malmsteen's "You Don't Remember, I'll Never Forget"
The Crown covering Bathory's "Burnin' Leather"
Hammerfall covering Heavy Load's "Run With The Devil"
Gooseflesh covering Trash's "Boogie Woogie Man"
Treasure Land covering John Norum's "Love Is Meant To Last Forever"
The Haunted covering Candlemass' "Well Of Souls"
The Quill covering November's "Mount Everest"
Southpaw covering Yngwie J. Malmsteen's "Disciples Of Hell"
Meshuggah covering Whimzy's "Attacked By A Shark"

Every track is brimming with energy and aggression. Of course, my favorites are In Flames' version of "World Of Promises," Entombed's sludgy "Albino Flogged In Black," and Meshuggah's live rendition of "Attacked By A Shark." Other tracks that I enjoyed include Lost Soul's hyper cover of "Deadly Legacy," Lion's Share's pure rock heaven of "Ready To Believe," and The Quill's stoner-rock bliss of "Mount Everest."

If you are even vaguely interested in hearing what a variety of bands from Sweden are all about then this is a CD that you should give strong consideration to having in your collection. If you are a fan of Swedish metal then "Power From The North" is an absolute must-have for your collection.

"Power From The North" is quickly becoming my favorite compilation/tribute CD of all time.

Rating Guide:

A classic. This record will kick your ass.

Killer. Not a classic but it will rock your world.

So-so. You've heard better.

Pretty bad. Might make a nice coaster.

Self explanatory. Just the sight of the cover makes you wanna hurl.

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