Album Review: Ambush – Infidel (High Roller Records)

In August 2013, Oskar Jacobsson (vocals), Olof Engkvist (guitars), Adam Hagelin (guitars), Ludwig Sjöholm (bass) and Linus Fritzson (drums) issued their first demo tape (forming the basis for their deal with High Roller Records). Ambush’s first 7″ single ‘Natural Born Killers’ (with ‘Heading East’ on the B-Side), was released on High Roller in 2014, followed by the critically acclaimed debut album ‘Firestorm’.

Stylistically, Ambush (originating from a small town called Växjö) are not miles away from current Swedish bands like RAM, Screamer and Enforcer, their main heroes are Judas Priest and Accept though.

In 2015, Ambush released their second album ‘Desecrator’. Four years later it’s high time for the follow-up ‘Infidel’. Out on March 13th 2020 via High Roller Records.

Vocalist Oskar Jacobsson says:

Creating an Ambush album is quite difficult for obvious reasons. On one hand we want to put out traditional sounding heavy metal with the vibe of the pioneers from the 70/80s. On the other hand the album must sound unique in some way to be relevant to the scene. Since the release of ‘Desecrator’ in 2015, we’ve been writing quite a lot of songs. After we condensed all the songs down to ten, we’ve had plenty of time to work with arrangements, lyric themes and song structures. It is always hard to smash the last nail into the coffin when it comes to recording and mixing, but in the end I think we succeeded in creating a good heavy metal album. I hope people will like it!

Let the metal rain down upon you, Ambush are here with their new album, Infidel. 10 tracks of screaming and screeching old-school heavy metal tracks. Vocalist Oskar Jacobsson makes a strong point with the above comments about wanting to stay true to the roots of heavy metal while also sounding relevant to today’s scene. It’s two things that are in conflict with each other to some degree.

Ambush don’t quite manage to get the balance right unfortunately but come far closer then most. So much so that it’s certainly admirable and very much appreciated.

There’s no escaping the fact that Infidel is rooted in a sound that isn’t modern sounding. It’s up to you though if that’s something that bothers you. Everyone else will just be having a great head-banging time with tracks like Yperite, The Demon Within, A Silent Killer and Lust for Blood.

It is what it says it is. A heavy metal album. What’s there to complain about?

Ambush – Infidel Full Track Listing:

1. Infidel
2. Yperite
3. Leave Them to Die
4. Hellbiter
5. The Summoning
6. The Demon Within
7. A Silent Killer
8. Iron Helm of War
9. Heart of Stone
10. Lust for Blood

Links

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