LP Review: Martyrdöd - Hexhammaren (2019)

Holy Satan! What great news, Martyrdöd are back! I have missed the crusty Black Metal Punks for quite some time but now finally I can penetrate my eardrums with their newest twelve-track-disc "Hexhammaren". Martyrdöd have recorded around forty minutes of new pitch black, crusty Punk Rock songs. The lyrics are part Swedish and part English, the tempo is mostly up, and the singer's raucous voice instantly gives me goosebumps.

Compared to older LPs by Martyrdöd "Hexhammaren" sounds a bit cleaner. But the dirty Crust Punk attitude is still present on their new disc. It may here and there been substituted by a stronger Heavy oder Thrash Metal impact on their songwriting. Nevertheless Martyrdöd have not unlearned to kick ass at all. The D-Beat galopps over the record like the four horsemen, the bass and the two guitars create a beautiful crusty and metallic soundscape of disharmony, and above all there's that hoarsy voice grinding through the rills of the record.

The lyrics on "Hexhammaren" are a reflection of contemporary times. There is war, injustice, violence, hatred, and the fear that global politics can finally escalate in another huge catastrophy. I wish I understodd Swedish a little better since I can only assume most of the non-English songs' content. In "Nästa Syrien" ("next Syria") the proxy wars in the Middle East are dealt with and as far as I can translate, the chorus goes like "I don't want your country to become the next Syria". Martyrdöd are absoluetly up to date with their content, and they manifest a warning to the world that hell could break loose if humanity goes on war-mongering.

For all lovers of D-Beat, Metallic Crust, Black Metal Punk, Black Hardcore and what not, this record will totally fit your collection. Martyrdöd have created another awesome work of pitch black turbo art. "Hexhammaren" is an amazing multi-layer piece of Black Metal Hardcore Punk from the beginning to the very end.