Viking was one of many thrash metal bands in Los Angeles, California in the late 80's. First known as Tracer, this early incarnation of the band had a different singer, called Spider. They released a demo, but broke up soon after. The remains of the band hooked up with Ron Daniel as their new singer, and regrouped as Viking in spring of 1986. Ron soon changed his last name to Eriksen, claiming that he and Brett were brothers. Eriksen is also a common Scandinavian surname, linking the two towards a Viking ancestry. A demo was released in 1986, and the song "Hellbound" was featured on 'Metal Massacre 8' in 1987.  Viking signed a six album deal with Metal Blade Records after completing their second live appearance. After the second album, since Ron and Matt had recently become Christian believers, they felt that it would be best to leave the band. An attempt to record a third album was made, but Viking soon folded. Thus the line-up of the band stayed intact until the bands demise in 1990. Brett Eriksen went on to join Dark Angel. Ron Daniel became a minister. In 2011 the band reunited with 2 original members (Ron and Matt), and 2 new members (Glenn Rogers and Tyler Von Moll).

DO OR DIE (1988) BOOTLEG

'Do Or Die' released via Metal Blade Records in February, 1988, was Viking's debut album. 3 of the songs could also be found on their 1986 demo tape, but all of them were re-recorded for the album.

'Do Or Die' is a vicious thrash metal album. It is equal amounts sheer speed and ferocious thrash. The production is very raw, and it is evident that Viking are more into playing fast, than to actually write memorable songs. Mind you, this is not necessarily all bad, but it admittedly gets a little tiresome when all the songs sound exactly the same. Now, many bands have made a career out of doing the same, so it all boils down to whether or not you are into this kind of relentless thrash metal. Viking has a lot in common with Dark Angel, especially both bands debut's share much of the same musicality and esthetic. And one cannot get around mentioning Slayer in the same breath. Personally I think Viking had better things to offer on their next effort.

'Do Or Die' was never released on CD back in the day. And because of the albums lyrical content, it is not likely that Ron will ever agree to reissue it. Lost And Found were given permission to re-release 'Man Of Straw', but not 'Do Or Die' Thus I'll have to hang on to this well made bootleg, complete with a lyrics sheet, band photos and original artwork.

Killer tracks: Hellbound, Valhalla, Do Or Die

MAN OF STRAW (1989, 2006) LOST AND FOUND RECORDS

'Man Of Straw', Viking's second album, was released via Metal Blade Records a year after the debut. The line-up was still intact, but seeing that 2 of the band members (Ron and Matt) were now born again Christians, this would reflect upon the bands further career. On 'Man Of Straw' it is most noticeable in the lyrics, as most of them were rewritten to fit their new beliefs.

The music, on the other hand, is still full-on, punishing thrash metal, with lots of speed, but also enough tempo changes to keep it interesting. The songwriting is vastly improved this time, and the speed for speed sake is replaced with calculated madness. The production is also ten times better here than on the debut. It's great to hear a distinct thrash metal sound and production. Can you imagine a mixture of Exodus, Testament, Vio-Lence and Slayer? There are no real stand out cuts here, but the entire album is very strong. "Hell Is For Children" is a cover of a Pat Benatar song. Viking should have become a bigger band in their genre. Instead they sadly called it quits after this release. A third album was in the making, but it was never finished, let alone released.

Viking's second effort has been one of the most sought after thrash metal CD's for many years now, obtaining hefty prices on eBay the few times it has appeared there. Luckily Lost And Found Records, under license from Metal Blade Records, remastered it, added some interesting bonus material, and made it available to all fans again in 2006. I have to say that this is the way re-releases should be done; plenty of pictures, all the lyrics, and cool song-by-song liner notes. The bonus material includes a demo track that was meant to end up on their third album, as well as 2 songs from their 1986 demo, and a live rendition of "Valhalla", also recorded in 1986.

Killer tracks: All of them.

Related artists:

Dark Angel, Vengeance, Deliverance, Heretic, Hirax, Once Dead