Summoning

Clearly recognisable as a Summoning album, Let Mortal Heroes Sing Your Fame is the band's latest medieval fantasy epic inspired by the writings of Tolkien and now by Michael Moorcock as well. If you're checking out the band for the first time, prepare for an unusual approach - this is metal based around synth horns, electronic war toms, primitive keyboard instruments and cello-like guitars, with vocals that could be the angry ravings of trolls. A steady marching rhythm moves in a hypnotic drone, even with the distraction of syncopated drums and samples from a broadcast version of The Lord of the Rings. While "Runes of Power" is the strongest song on the CD, with its compelling symphonic guitar riff, each of the long tracks showcases guitars and horns playing off each other in elaborate countermelodies. For a change in texture, the album ends with a male choir joining in the cacophony during the last song. A little too mesmerising to play in the car, Let Mortal Heroes Sing Your Fame would make a good soundtrack for a fantasy novel.