Viking Skull - Cursed by the Sword (Transcend Music)

Only in the wacky and ridiculous world of heavy metal could a band formed as a spoof support act for an established band (in this case those doyens of midlands metal Raging Speedhorn) make it all the way through a career spanning six albums; and even then its doubtful whether such a band could keep turning in consistently high quality ‘product’ time and again. But somehow Viking Skull have done just that, and Cursed… may just turn out to be recognized as this band’s best effort yet…

If you’re familiar with the 'Skull’s modus operandi, you’ll know what to expect by now, and I guarantee you won’t be let down by what you hear on the likes of You Look Like I Need a Beer(which contains the timeless lyric 'you're a Grade-A minger), My Bitch Talks Too Much or Five Fingers of Steel. Equal parts latter day stoner (Raging Speedhorn are often brought to mind, obviously, as are Orange Goblin at their full-bore best) and classic, studs n’leather early eighties metal (there are some great nods to Fast Eddie Clarke of Motorhead in the riff department strewn all over the place), you won’t fail to be moved by what’s on offer here. And by moved I don’t mean reduced to tears – I mean reduced to a beer brandishing, dribbling,  headbanging loon by the power of Cursed by the Sword’s irresistibly infectious riffage. Not rocket science maybe, but definitely one of the party metal albums of the year thus far. Essential heavy metal listening.