Quite often I am surprised by the quality of Scandinavian metal bands. I wonder what the difference is between metal from this part of the world and metal from any other place. Fact is that the Swedish band Persuader is also one of those bands. With their third album “When Eden Burns” they release a great metal album. I think it is their best album to date, it takes off where Evolution Purgatory (2004) left off.

The music is best described as heavy metal mixed with all kinds of styles varying from black metal riffing to sweet piano interludes, Kreator-ish guitars, Blind Guardian influences, lots of double bass drums and modern sounding choruses into the unique Persuader sound. The songwriting duo Emil Norberg and Efraim Juntunen have composed 10 very strong songs with great structures, several changes of rhythm and tempo, trashy raw vocals of Jens Karlsson (very powerful and occasional growling) and very heavy and speedy riffs.

The album opens with a dark voice: “You asked me if I have a God Complex. Let me tell you one thing, I am God”. To emphasize this statement heavy riffs are blowing out your speakers followed by the speedy “Twisted Eyes”. This amazing song contains lots of atmospheres and is an example of the metallic beauty that will come to you during the next 50 minutes. The sound is great; the songs are full of energy strengthened by death, brutal and melodic influences. I’m very impressed by this album. “RS Knights” is the most accessible song of the record, catchy and still heavy. With “Doomsday News” and “Zion” the band slows down but they don’t lose any power; that is the quality of this band.

Conclusion: a great band and a great metal album with highlights only.