Finally, this album wasn't able to keep up with the previous one and I have been quite disappointed at the time it came out. But it isn't a bad album after all and has some killer tracks on it like the atmospheric and surprising opener "Vi seglar mot Miklagard", the very slow and melodic title track "Miklagard" which has become my favourite song on the record or the closing epic "The uprising" that grows more and more every time I listen to it.
The main problem of the album is that most of the songs sound quite alike. A short introduction, a few fast riffs, a powerful chorus and a couple of solos during the bridge and once again a powerful chorus in the end are the base of most of the songs. While many songs are fast, heavy and straight in your face, the epic factor and the diversity of the last album has gone away and there are some fillers on the record. Some better examples of this kind of approach are the fast Viking hymn "Ulfberth" or the rather epic "Kiew" but songs like the opener "Sweden" or the stereotypical failure "Taste of steel" are rather boring. The album has not the intellectual approach I was expecting, the intense atmosphere I was longing for and the diversity I have admired on the last album. The album is mostly fast and rhythm orientated and sounds like typical Teutonic metal in the key of Grave Digger so that I must attest a surprising lack of identity for this record.
This album is a very solid one but far away from the excellence of the first part of trilogy and also of the diversity of the strong last part. The traditional metal fans will surely like it for its straightness but I was expecting more.
[A+] - 100%
The_Viking, June 18th, 2009
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Let me say straight out that earning a perfect score of a 100% is very tough to do in my book. Yet, I don't see how I could possibly vote otherwise. This album has blasted its way out of my speakers for countless hours, from beginning to end... yet I do not see myself getting bored of it anytime soon.
The genre is the first thing to mention. Rebellion are often labeled as "power metal." Yet... I think "speed metal" would be a better label if one was required - maybe a mix of power and thrash. Why? Well, Rebellion definitely sound a lot more raw and thrashier than power metal, especially with the powerful vocals of Michael Seifert. They actually remind me a lot of the vocals from Grave Digger - yet undoubtedly better.
I actually discovered this band thanks to Grave Digger, seeing as Rebellion was founded by two ex-members, most notably Uwe Lulis, the guitarist. While the two bands do share some similarities, Rebellion is the clear winner, as established through not only this release, but also their highly-recommended Part 1 to the viking saga.
But alas, on to the music! Rebellion's Miklagard is in fact the second part to a not-yet-finished trilogy about the history of vikings. Perhaps an exhausted topic, yes, but Rebellion tackle this subject in a brand new, refreshing light that should make even Amon Amarth green with envy.
The album opens up with a mellow instrumental intro track that sets the atmosphere and lets us know, something fucking incredible is about to start... and it does!
The guitar riffs and the backing pounding of the drums crush mercilessly and never let up. The vocals join in to create a killer combination. While Seifert's voice is harsh and low, he has enough of a range and melody to form the catchiest of choruses found anywhere. One listen through the album and you will undoubtedly be screaming along, "Sweden, oh Sweden! My fatherland, my HOME!" or "Whistling death as I swing thee FASTER!"
Guitar playing is spot-on. Every track has a great solo, yet it is not so filled with technicality as many power metal releases. In fact, I found the solos to be very reminiscent of Iron Maiden... maybe not demonstrating a huge amount of skill, but they work great to set the mood and intensity the journey. When Miklagard is blasting through your speakers, you ARE racing towards the field of battle, sword and axe in hand, ready to slaughter your enemy, or die a glorious death while trying.
This release has it all - brutal guitars, amazing drumming, incredible guitar solos, and tremendous replay ability. Every track is memorable, every song is catchy, and hell.... the whole album is just plain old fun. One can only hope that the third and final part of the trilogy will be just as good!
Recommended for vikings and ANY heavy metal fans, be it thrash, power, death, or doom... Rebellion will not let you down.
-Marcin W. Cencek