PureVolume

Originally formed in 1993, the band from Oslo, Norway marked their return from the abyss in 2004 with the release of Six Track Metal Attack, which received first-class reviews by Sweden Rock Magazine and Heavymetal.no for portraying a distinct and direct classic heavy metal style, so much needed in todays rather static metal scene. Various kick-arse gigs followed in 2005, including a seven-day German Tour during which Hjallarhorn co-headlined with The Shitheadz (now known as Motorjesus) at the Metal Race in Viersen and the Independent Rock Concert in Wegberg. Their back-to-the-roots approach and energetic stage performance was well received by both the audience and the local music press with demands for their return. On home turf, Hjallarhorn played the Rock Bottom/ Muddy Waters in Oslo, the renowned Quart Festival in Kristiansand, the Metal Massacre Festival and the Mandatory Festival in Oslo.

Musically, their edgy guitar sound and melodic vocals are a far cry from the indistinguishable metal masses of today, whose mind-numbing low-end, high-gain Triple Rectifier hysteria is contested only by the occasional grunts and screams of the vocalist.

Their recent demo Trilogy of Lightning takes the fundamental musical concept of Six Track Metal Attack to the next level with even edgier guitars and a sound so raw it is riddled with e-coli.

"Hjallarhorn's Six Track Metal Attack reminds me of British heavy rock from the early '80s. The opening track Blood and Black Lace could have been a long forgotten NWOBHM goodie, revived by a 1997 Metallica interpretation. But it is self-composed and of very high quality. 15 years ago their music would have been classified as thrash; today the majority would call it classic heavy metal. I conclude that this music sounds good." (Sweden Rock Magazine, No.26, March/April 2005)

"The most obvious parallels can be drawn with early Metallica. Both in the riffs and the vocal lines Hjallarhorn is inspired by the 1980's Bay Area scene. So for all of you who like classic thrash with clean vocals, Hjallarhorn are a joyful acquaintance. The demo Trilogy of Lightning is of high class. Iron Clad Soldier latches onto you rapidly and stubbornly maintains its hold. But my favourite track is still Battle of Repulsion." (Sweden Rock Magazine, No.37, July 2006)

"The year was 2005, the month January, when at the Independent Rock Concert in Wegberg, Germany I came across a Norwegian band by the name of Hjallarhorn. When these guys took to the stage, the crowd was slammed against the wall. The logical consequence was that I acquired their 2004 Six Track Metal Attack. As the name suggests, it contained six songs of straight, traditional, edgy metal. Not an overly polished production, but truly in your face.

Hjallarhorn's three new songs on Trilogy of Lightning (2006) are in much in the same spirit. Another raw production and cross between classic heavy metal and speed metal. The guitar work cannot be faulted. The first-class riffs of the rhythm guitar saw through the back of any neck, while on lead guitar Martin Krogh demonstrates some cool soloing." (Vampster.com, Metal E-zine, Germany, August 2006)

"Live these guys are awesome, book them ASAP!" (Heavy Metal.no, Metal E-zine, Norway, July 2006)