ALBUM REVIEW: Heavy Load – Riders Of The Ancient Storm

Sweden’s greatest Heavy Metal titans HEAVY LOAD return from the darkness with their new studio album. Their fourth record comes a whole forty years later than its predecessor and can be heard via No Remorse Records.

Harmonious vocals kick in with lead single “Ride The Night” before an array of warm analogue guitars, synths and drums pound into that lively and wholesome Heavy Load sound as it they never took a seconds break. The strong riffing and percussion backdrop the haunting vocals beautifully and have that instantly classic, dynamic and timeless sound that the band can take a huge credit for creating so many years ago. As a very rhythmically strong band, it is important not to neglect the soaring and tasteful lead guitars and keyboards which add so much flavour yet never become obnoxious within the soundscape. Equally, the production is rich in subtle nuances and its archaic approach pays off to give us a really nostalgic and powerful feeling to every single element. As the Swedish are famous for their insane abilities to write a catchy chorus, it must be said Heavy Load’s hugely anthemic qualities are as vibrant as ever, making sure each track is an unforgettable hit, but more on that later…

Each sublime second is filled with magnificent musicianship and expert transitions that will keep you gripped and enchanted while the bewitching album plays out. While fun, it feels sincere. This allows plenty of fist-pounding, head-banging and singalong friendly songs to grasp a crowd while never feeling silly or gimmicky. Indeed, the excitement to see Heavy Load at Keep It True 2024 has grown even further for myself (especially after having met the endearing Wahlquist brothers at this years “Rising” edition). Anyways, back to the music. The creativity here feels boundless, with songs that may have lain dormant having had so much life breathed into them. Aside from the obvious adoration for playing this music still holding relevant to these pioneers, the way in which they build upon their sound in this new adventure is undeniably a worthy comeback. Heavy Load join the likes of Cirith Ungol, Satan, Brocas Helm and Glacier with their return from the abyss being a total triumph.

I think it is fair to say that this album features some of the most accessible songwriting from the band to date, while their music has always been easy to become enticed by. But it by no means feels compromised, rather that the band have utilised every ace up their sleeve to deliver the overdue return that they envisioned and nothing less. With its orchestral moments lending to the epic nature of their particular Heavy Metal conquest, this glorious soundtrack is certainly a battle-readied blast of adrenaline that is an exhilarating quest to embark upon. From moments of defeat to triumphant self-fulfilment, there is a range of evocative moods and dynamic twists that keep the story enthralling to the end and thankfully the musical prowess lives up to this to give us nothing short of total satisfaction. It is easy to see the repeated listen value here, as with all Heavy Load material; because it is just so purely enjoyable to listen to and be a part of with them. Album four was definitely worth the wait.

“Riders of the Ancient Storm” is testament to when passion does not die. Heavy Load have never had their flame dampened or spark extinguished, playing the Heavy Metal they were instrumental in building as wonderfully as ever. As always, there is a moment of apprehension with a comeback album but this joins the rare legions of those that truly deliver the goods. An amazing achievement to add such a tome to their library this late into their career and majestic one at that. I hope this is not the last we have heard from the heathens from the north…