Band:	Gormathon
Album:	Following The Beast
Style:	Melodic death metal
Release date:	September 24, 2014
A review by:	ScreamingSteelUS

01. Remedy
02. Land Of The Lost
03. Hellbender
04. Break The Chains
05. Celestial Warrior
06. In Benevolence
07. World Of Sin
08. Remember
09. Absence Of Trust
10. Warlords Or Doom
11. Into Oblivion
12. Silent Walk

They stop short of drinking mead out of horns and naming every other song "_______ Of The Gods," but there is no mistaking those chunky, low-end riffs and ominous war drums. These guys are into Amon Amarth big-time. You might think you already have enough Amon Amarth in your life; heck, you might even think that one is too many. You're wrong.

Gormathon recognize the benefits of utilizing a unique vocal delivery, and weave together throaty, mead-soaked growls a la Johan Hegg with raspy "cleans" that would approach the operatic were it not for their blood-tempered grit (think a Korpiklaani-fied Mille Petrozza). I could have sworn that there were two singers in this band, but no, that's just Tony Sunnhag and his magnificent Viking-mane-to-end-all-Viking-manes covering all the bases. With Sunnhag at the helm, Gormathon become more than just an Amon Amarth tribute band; his voice adds a Týr-ish folk element that galvanizes the dormant energies hidden within these riffs.

In the mighty, heroic, and sweaty choruses of "Land Of The Lost," "Celestial Warrior," "Into Oblivion," and other songs, Gormathon have achieved something lost on melodeath bands that further strengthens the folk metal comparison. While they lack (for the most part) any sort of traditional instrumentation or evident musical influence, they still have the heart and soul of a folk metal band - manifested in no better way than a hearty, ragged sing-along. "In Benevolence" and "Into Oblivion" will have you subconsciously reaching for your war hammer so you have something to swing mightily when the chorus kicks in. "Hellbender" will double the size of your beard - or bestow one upon you, should you be in need of one.

This is Gormathon's second full-length offering, and while Following the Beast is not quite as exceptional as their debut, Lens Of Guardian, this album still more than earns its stripes. The two sound very similar, which leads me to believe that every future Gormathon album will take the same approach (much like another familiar-sounding, bearded, Swedish melodeath band?), but once you experience them, you will know that this is in no way a criticism.

Those who steer clear of Amon Amarth will have little to gain from Gormathon. Yet those who need another fix of barrel-chested melodeath and would appreciate a breath of fresh air should look no further than Following The Beast, whose titanic riffs will inspire even the meekest among you to ride forth and find some dragons to slay.