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Take a generous helping of Rebellion's brand of Viking-themed Heavy Metal; add in some Black Metal rasps, alternated with the clean male singing and sprinkle on some of Korpiklaani's folksy, party melodies. Cook this over an open fire, in the nearest longhouse, until crunchy, and you'll likely get something similar to Wolfchant's Call of the Black Winds.

Call of the Black Winds opens with a majestic instrumental intro, but after that, the album is all about fast, intense, in-your-face metal. Gatling gun double bass drums fuel the sonic tsunami with the heavy riffs and dueling vocals riding the near constant wave of speed for much of the album. It isn't until track 9, "The Last Farewell," that Wolfchant take their collective feet off the gas for some acoustic guitars and subdued vocals. That is until about a minute and a half in to the song when drummer Norgahd revives his incessant abuse of his kit. At first, Call of the Black Winds kicks ass, especially the opener, "Stormwolves," which will have you imagining you're on horseback riding for all you're worth to join the enemy in battle. The rest of the songs are in much the same vein and, taken individually, are just as thrilling. The problem is that they all sound similar to one another and, by the end of the album, they run together. Other than that negative, there isn't much to not like about Call of the Black Winds. Sissified Pagan Metal, this is not. Bring your broadsword.