Victory

Generally considered their best effort, Unleashed's 1995 Century Media release, Victory, is the culmination of a prolific early career for one of Sweden's leading '90s metal outfits. To the uninitiated, this record won't sound much different than its three studio predecessors, but fans will notice the refined musicianship, production, and especially songwriting that elevates Victory above the group's prior discs. Things get started nicely with the insanely heavy "Victims of War" that boasts one of the simplest yet most pummeling guitar riffs of Fredrik Lindgren and Thomas Olsson's tandem career. The energy hardly subsides over the following nine tracks. Special mention should also go to "In the Name of God" and "Scream Forth Aggression," two unrelenting numbers that typify this act's commitment to heaviness. Metal fans still unfamiliar with the band would do well to start their Unleashed collection with the polished but still quite brutal Victory. ~ Vincent Jeffries