Metal, Hardcore, Indie, Rock
When the topic of family legacy in the metal world arises, conversations inevitably turn to drum legend Anders Johansson. His illustrious tenures with HammerFall and Yngwie Malmsteen are firmly etched into the canon of Swedish Heavy Metal. Yet with Tungsten, the band he founded in 2016 alongside his sons Niklas and Karl, he has long proven that this is far from a mere vanity side-project. Joined by the remarkably versatile frontman Mike Andersson, the Swedish powerhouse now delivers “Ashes”, their fifth studio album to date. It showcases a band that has fully realized its sonic identity right at the crossroads of power metal, modern heaviness, electronic textures, and an undeniable Scandinavian affinity for lush melodies.
Family bonds, the raw force of Nordic fjords, and electronic frequencies: on their fifth record, Tungsten truly master and perfect a metal sound that is entirely their own.
“Ashes” shines first and foremost through the band’s bold willingness to cross stylistic boundaries without ever losing hold of their thematic red thread.
The album opener, “Joker” which also served as the lead single—immediately hits you with an unexpected twist: metal yodeling! The song kicks off with a surprising yodel intro courtesy of guitarist Nick, right before driving keyboard walls and razor-sharp power metal riffs take total control. The rhythm section delivers a massive, irresistible groove, while Mike Andersson skillfully navigates between striking melodic lines, sudden tempo shifts, and harshly distorted vocals. It is an exceptionally dynamic entrance that lingers in your mind long after the final note, not least because of its eccentric yodeling interlude.
With “Bite My Tongue“, the band dials up the heaviness another notch. The track presents itself with crushing punch and arrives even catchier than the opener. Raw, biting riffage, a beautifully crafted guitar solo, and aggressive screams set strong accents before the song takes an unexpected turn at the very end, wrapping up with organ sounds that lend it an almost sacral, ominously dark undertone. This piece boasts that unmistakable, one-of-a-kind Tungsten signature sound through and through.
“Fuego Del Sol” stands as a textbook example of the Swedes’ open-minded creativity. Right from the very first second, its driving rhythm whisks you away—both sonically and mentally—into the vibrant atmosphere of Latin America. The track builds further on electronically infused moments and lush synthesizer layers that slide seamlessly beneath heavy, chugging riffs. If the metal genre ever needed a definitive summer anthem, this would undeniably be it!
A somewhat calmer yet intensely melodic piece follows with “Supernova“. A cheeky “cuckoo” audio sample brings an instant smile to your face. It clearly demonstrates the sheer variety packed into this record, as this song is undeniably radio-ready and leans almost into dance territory. On a personal note, however, I find it a bit too soft for my taste—feeling more like rock than proper metal.
“Happy” lives up to its title in every possible way, acting as an unadulterated, high-energy mood booster. The rhythm section hammers through the speakers like a rapid-fire sewing machine, while furiously shredded riffs are subtly yet effectively anchored by cheerful keyboard melodies. It is pure, uninhibited energy crafted for the live stage, and an absolute earworm that practically forces you to sing along instantly. An absolute highlight on the record that makes you crave the live experience so much, you immediately hit the repeat button!
Tungsten pull out all the stops of style fusion with “Ted The Exorcist“. The song exudes a dark, intoxicating electro/darkwave atmosphere, featuring heavy, stomping guitar chugs reminiscent of Rammstein. Even though the track ventures heavily into modern territory, its solid power metal foundation remains clearly palpable at every second. Above all, it stays thoroughly and unmistakably a true Tungsten track.
One of the absolute crowning moments of the album is “Sunshine Of Fall”. The song comes across as incredibly catchy, hymnic, and deeply melodic, driven by a hook that instantly implants itself in your head.
My absolute personal highlight, however, is “The North Will Rise“. A mighty epic straight out of the power metal textbook and another undeniable high point of the record. Beyond the blistering drum work and massive walls of riffs, it holds a truly extraordinary treat: none other than Tony Kakko of Sonata Arctica lends his voice as a guest vocalist, breathing an extra layer of grand Scandinavian epicness into the track. Tony and Mike together, two absolute powerhouse singers, deliver a masterclass for the ears. Even on its own merit, the song stands as a triumphant anthem that satisfies every power metal heart to the fullest.
The momentum continues brilliantly with “For Thee“. The track thunders through the speakers as a wild, fast, and joyful crossover of power, folk, and pirate metal, overflowing with the ensemble’s sheer joy of playing. Wow, I was utterly blown away from second one! After just 3:08 minutes, the song suddenly comes to an end, leaving you thinking: “I could have listened to that for hours on end.” An absolute banger!
“Ruin“, on the other hand, had me furrowing my brow at first—does this song seriously open with a “Tshukatshukatsuka” vocal beat?! What on earth is that? Weird, yet it definitely has a uniquely captivating charm to it. But right after this unusual intro, an astonishingly epic and melodic power metal track unfolds. Then the “Tshukatshuka” returns, and in this bizarre combination, the song becomes completely unique and utterly enchanting. Especially toward the end, Mike’s lead vocals, backed by soaring, hymnic choir harmonies, are nothing short of mind-blowing.
“The Forge” closes the album with Tungsten’s accustomed heaviness, razor-sharp riffing, and atmospheric finesse, bringing the record to a well-rounded, harmonious conclusion.
With “Ashes”, Tungsten have crafted a superbly produced, deeply engaging, and exceptionally diverse metal album. The Swedish outfit effortlessly fuses traditional heavy metal with modern electronic experimentation without ever feeling forced or artificial. Glorious melodies, grooving rhythms, and Mike Andersson’s remarkably versatile vocal performance carry the album seamlessly across all 11 tracks. The Johansson family’s fifth effort is the definitive test of maturity for a band that has long secured its rightful, permanent place in the international metal scene.
Recommended tracks: “The North Will Rise“, “For Thee” and “Ruin“
