Heroes / True Aggression - Pride, Honour, Belief

Where to begin? A truly special split album, one that hardly anyone would have expected. Heroes, one of Sweden's longest-serving bands, returns from the dead after 14(!) years without a release. 30 years after their debut "Devil's Game," the veterans from the north deliver the unmistakable sound that made them special from the very beginning. Categorization? Difficult! Hard rock, 80s metal, Oi!, rock 'n' roll, punk, and here and there a touch of Viking rock, all with a voice that is instantly recognizable. You could also say: Iron Maiden meets punk. Only Heroes sound like this! Anyone listening to their earlier albums "Garm" or "Heroes of Today" today will, in most cases, be blown away by this diverse and meticulously arranged "crossover music," which avoids both musical and lyrical clichés. And they remain 100% true to themselves. Fans of the band will be delighted – and now others have the chance to discover them.

It's no coincidence that True Aggression is the German counterpart to this collaborative album. They've known each other personally for years and maintain close ties. The idea arose spontaneously while sitting together in a pub the night before a joint concert. And here's the result: six tracks each from Sweden and Germany. TA essentially pick up where they left off with "Wegweiser," but this time they also let their cheeky side show. The bands each pay tribute with a cover and complement each other with guest appearances, making this a true collaborative effort.

The very stylish 16-page booklet contains all the German, English (and some Swedish) lyrics, along with various photos. Swedish-German friendship!