When confronted by Scandinavian-related metal, your reviewer usually begins to shudder uncontrollably, while images of burning churches, inverted crosses and people with assumed names (usually Count something or other) flash across his troubled and feverish mind. The prognosis is not good, whichever way you slice it.
MINUS, though, are - incredibly - Scandinavian hard rockers who are (whisper it) like actually worth the time of day. Dude. They come highly recommended by Norwegian pop wizard Even Johansen (aka Magnet), are actually pronounced Min-oose and have previously had Damon Albarn and Einar (Sugarcubes ) Orn writing tracks for them. Not too suprisingly, then, "Romantic Exorcism" - the second single from their recent third album "Halldor Laxness" comes to us via the Sugarcubes Smekkleysa label. You with us so far?
Well, you'll need to be, because "Romantic Exorcism" is killer driving hard rock, announced with a shouted "Yeah!" and within seconds slipping up to a dangerous fifth gear and cruising along with the same blinkers-on propulsion of Killing Joke at their ritualistic, churning best. Indeed, while it's got a heaviosity the likes of Queens Of The Stone Age would be proud of, it's got every bit as much in common with the souped-up post-punk brigade (a harder, flailing Mision Of Burma also spring to mind) as the likes of metal touchstones like Slayer.
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So, yeah, "Romantic Exorcism" is frenetic and fantastic and this, dear reader, is the sound of your embattled reviewer actually praising Scandinavian hard rock. D'you know what? It felt good, actually. Didn't hurt a bit.
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