The Rating:     What does this mean?

Why: Ah, sweet scent of autumn approaching... red trees, hot chocolates, and a new album from Rebellion in my hands. The German fivesome have delivered again; their third CD, "Sagas of Iceland," is once again a "theme" album, and this time the subject is all things Viking (Rebellion's 2004 recording was all based on Shakespeare's Macbeth, and don't ask me how, but it works). The sweeping melody of the album's first track, complete with organ and strings, is actually reminiscent of an Ennio Morricone western, but it leads beautifully into the take-no-prisoners riffs of "Ynglinga Saga." Beyond that point, you're in a Viking state of mind for the rest of the album. Head-oarsman (nice eh?) Michael Seifert almost sounds like Billy Idol during the first whispery vocals on the record, but he quickly segues into his typical battlecry sound, delivering some nice warcries early on the album.

Any listener familiar with Rebellion will be waiting for Seifert to break out Klaus-Meine style-- prepare to wait a while. Seifert doesn't go for many power notes on this album, and brings himself down an octave for a throatier voice; I'm guessing this is to contribute to the guttural "I'm-a-viking-and-I-eat-turkey-legs-bigger-than-your-calves-in-one-bite" feel for the album. Maybe not. He does begin to get closer to his glory cries on "Canute the Great (King of Danish Pride)" but keeps his only true nutcracker note until the very last song on the album.

However, this record could stand on two legs even without vocals at all. Battle-axeman Uwe Lulis and shieldmaiden Simone Wenzel give ripping guitar performances that you sometimes wish weren't encumbered by vocals. And yes, I am having too much fun with the Viking references, but that's because when listening to "Sagas of Iceland" it's hard not to. The guys deserve some credit for the vast knowledge of Viking history and Norse mythology that went into this album. Lyrics touch on typical Vinland subjects like war, life on the sea, and of course Odin, but they delve deeper too, even touching on the Roman attempts to Christianize viking villages (naturally, with lyrics such as "I won't believe, I'd rather die!").

Sagas of Iceland will dress to impress too, as long as the album has the same cover art as the German edition, which features a viking longship slash skull... That's right, it's a ship and skull; hard to describe, but you'll be able to see it on me soon when my new Rebellion shirt comes in the mail. Definitely the best way to see the album art is to BUY THE ALBUM--the US release date is 10/10/07. Any fan of Manowar, Grim Reaper, Iced Earth, Scorpions, etc. can appreciate this CD. And tell all your friends about it. Rebellion are basically unknown in the US; undoubtedly this is because they've never played in the US. Here's hoping they'll man their longship across the Atlantic and conquer the new world.