So, answer this question: which head of state needs a dose of metal to get him ready for Parliament every morning – and which band’s music does he play to give him the necessary adrenaline surge? It’s Iceland’s President Guðni Jóhannesson, of course, whose love of his country’s biggest metal band Skálmöld led him to say in 2018: “I admire them because they’re much more than just a metal band. For me, the most admirable aspects of Skálmöld’s songs are their lyrical themes. Here in Iceland, we want to maintain our literary and cultural heritage, and to do that we need to make it accessible to new generations. Skálmöld are a link between our old heritage and today’s culture!” Can you imagine Donald Trump saying the same thing about Metallica, or Angela Merkel laying similar praise at Rammstein’s feet? Of course not – which says a lot about the appeal of this band of Vikings. You don’t need to take the word of the President, though; the facts speak for themselves. Skálmöld – which translates as ‘Age Of Swords’ – formed in the summer of 2009 and comprise Björgvin Sigurðsson (vocals, guitar), Þráinn Árni Baldvinsson (guitar), Baldur Ragnarsson (guitar), Snæbjörn Ragnarsson (bass), Gunnar Ben (keyboards) and Jón Geir Jóhannsson (drums).[...] Skálmöld are one of a kind. Miss them at your peril! Joel McIver, 2018