At some point, I wrote in a review that there is probably no other genre in extreme Metal with as many one-man bands as Black Metal. That was maybe twenty years ago or more, but the observation still holds true. This time it is BRONZE HALL from Finland, who already received high marks for their debut last year. While the acoustic intro to the opener ‘Embers Of Remembrance’ leaves everything open, it soon becomes clear and a glance at the cover and song title confirms this, that we are dealing with Viking Metal here. Boring, heard a thousand times before, nobody needs this might be the initial impression of a superficial listener. But if you listen more closely and as an experienced listener it becomes clear right from the first playthrough, these nearly 45 minutes are not plain stock music. The six tracks are handcrafted with hammer and heart. But aside from this BATHORY vibe, which would be worth recommending in and of itself, but there are other elements to consider as well. Especially some moments of Dungeon Synth and the incredible melodic guitars create a unique blend. A combination I have never heard before, at least not like this, and one that is incredibly appealing to me. There is a pride in ”Embers Of The Dawn”, a raw and unyielding spirit that feels akin to standing alone on a cliffside, staring into the endless horizon. The melodies move with the patience of time itself, slow, deliberate and powerful, while their atmosphere wraps around you like mist over dark waters. Get baptised in fire and ice by visiting https://bronzehall.bandcamp.com or www.facebook.com/fallentemple2