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Vikings conquered lands brutally and ruthlessly between the 8th and 11th centuries and history seems to be repeating itself though instead of swords and axes, this time it is with the power of music.

Heidra are one of the most promising and talented new Metal acts rising up from the fertile soil of Danish underground Metal. The band's 3-track EP, Sworn to Vengeance, released in 2012, got people talking about these modern-day Danish Vikings and now, with their first full-length out, Awaiting Dawn, it seems likely their blackened Viking Metal will win them even more fans.

Heidra have gone ashore, with their huge long ships, screaming for blood, honor and death and the war hymns on Awaiting Dawn reek of brilliance. The songs are surprisingly well crafted and catchy Viking Metal that crosses the borders of Black, Folk and, occasionally, Power Metal. There are strong similarities to both Moonsorrow's Pagan Metal and Ensiferum's Viking Metal but Heidra are not just copycatting their favorite bands. At times, vocalist Morten Bryld manages to evoke the vicious and deranged as hell performance of Taneli Jarva of Sentenced during the North From Here era. There's nothing about this band that I dislike; Heidra show everyone how Viking Metal can be done with plenty of sheer entertainment.

If you like Vikings and Metal, then put this album on your shopping list immediately. You won't regret it.