Words by Jai That Aussie Metal Guy – Crannk.com
Swedish death metal warlords UNLEASHED are back—and they’re bringing the hammer down harder than ever with their 15th studio album, Fire Upon Your Lands, out August 15 via Napalm Records. To mark the occasion, I had the absolute honour of catching up with frontman, bassist, and founding member Johnny Hedlund, a true legend of the genre.
For over 35 years, Unleashed has flown the flag for Viking death metal—raw, relentless, and rich in Norse mythology. This latest release continues the epic saga of the World of Odalheim, picking up where 2021’s No Sign Of Life left off, plunging listeners into a war-scorched landscape of gods, warriors, and thunderous riffs.
We dug deep into the writing process behind Fire Upon Your Lands, with Johnny revealing how riffcraft, lyrical lore, and storytelling are interwoven from the ground up. From the explosive opener “Left for Dead” to the anthemic “Hold Your Hammers High!”, this album balances brutal aggression with cinematic grandeur.
Johnny also opened up about the band’s recording approach, legacy in the Swedish death metal scene, and the Norse values that continue to shape their creative vision. With tracks like “A Toast to the Fallen” and “To My Only Son”, Unleashed channels themes of honor, sacrifice, and mythic strength—carrying the torch of Viking skalds into the modern era.
And of course, we closed the chat with a brutal Death Metal Quickfire Round, putting Johnny to the test on everything from blast beats to the fiercest warrior in history.
If you’re a fan of death metal, Norse mythology, or just pure sonic warfare—you don’t want to miss this one.
Raise your hammers and prepare for war—this one’s a MUST for any death metal fan.
💥 Fire Upon Your Lands out August 15, 2025 via Napalm Records
🔗 More UNLEASHED:
Website: https://www.unleashed.se/website/
Label: https://label.napalmrecords.com/unleashed
