Metal Blade
2006
1. Northwind
2. Waltz With The Dead
3. Spirit of the Hawk
4. Legend And The Lore
5. Catch The Shadows
6. Tower Of The Queen
7. Long Gone By
8. Perjury And Sanctity
9. Fairyland Fanfare
10. Himmel Aa Trind
11. Blinded
12. Delusion
13. Home Of The Knave
14. Black Tarn (Instrumental)
Many were disappointed with the way this promising young power act fell from grace with the loss of vocalist Mathias Blad and now he has returned. Personally I thought Gobel handled the material admirably but I can't deny that there is something special to the voice of Blad and the material did seem to slip a bit upon his departure. Well it's the old Falconer line up now... but is it the old Falconer?
I would have to say yes. While this may not be as speedy throughout and gallop oriented as the first Falconer album, Blad brings his majestic presence back to the band and the whole album comes off as quite epic. The folk influences really shine and though the music is largely mid-paced it allows the music to breathe nicely. There are upbeat moments in the album too though and it's certainly not dull. The level this album definitely succeeds on is folk atmosphere and really conjuring up a medieval/fantasy sort of feel. The songs simply put, work and Blad's choruses are very memorable.
Basically this album manages to recall what I think made the first Falconer album special without completely retreading old ground. I think many Falconer fans will be pleased with this release and hearing them back in folkish form with Blad's voice soaring high.
Highlights: Northwind, Tower Of The Queen, Catch The Shadows, Perjury and Sanctity
Rating - 4.0/5
2. Waltz With The Dead
3. Spirit of the Hawk
4. Legend And The Lore
5. Catch The Shadows
6. Tower Of The Queen
7. Long Gone By
8. Perjury And Sanctity
9. Fairyland Fanfare
10. Himmel Aa Trind
11. Blinded
12. Delusion
13. Home Of The Knave
14. Black Tarn (Instrumental)
Many were disappointed with the way this promising young power act fell from grace with the loss of vocalist Mathias Blad and now he has returned. Personally I thought Gobel handled the material admirably but I can't deny that there is something special to the voice of Blad and the material did seem to slip a bit upon his departure. Well it's the old Falconer line up now... but is it the old Falconer?
I would have to say yes. While this may not be as speedy throughout and gallop oriented as the first Falconer album, Blad brings his majestic presence back to the band and the whole album comes off as quite epic. The folk influences really shine and though the music is largely mid-paced it allows the music to breathe nicely. There are upbeat moments in the album too though and it's certainly not dull. The level this album definitely succeeds on is folk atmosphere and really conjuring up a medieval/fantasy sort of feel. The songs simply put, work and Blad's choruses are very memorable.
Basically this album manages to recall what I think made the first Falconer album special without completely retreading old ground. I think many Falconer fans will be pleased with this release and hearing them back in folkish form with Blad's voice soaring high.
Highlights: Northwind, Tower Of The Queen, Catch The Shadows, Perjury and Sanctity
Rating - 4.0/5
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