Metal Blade
2011
1. Svarta Ankan
2. Dimmornas Drottning
3. Griftefrid
4. O, Tysta Ensamhet
5. Rosornas Grav
6. Grimborg
7. Herr Peder Och Hans Syster
8. Eklundapolskan
9. Grimasch Om Morgonen
10. Fru Silfver
11. Gammal Fabodpsalm
Bonus tracks -
12. Black Widow (Svarta Ankan - English Version)
13. Grimborg (English Version)
14. By The Rose's Grave (Rosornas Grav - English Version)
15. O, Silent Solitude (O, Tysta Ensamhet - English Version)
Falconer are a band I've pretty much always enjoyed. Even during their temporary parting with vocalist Mathias Blad, I did enjoy The Sceptre Of Deception (though not Grime Vs Grandeur). There is no denying that Blad brings an interesting and unique vocal presence to the band however. It is no small selling point as he has a great sense of melody.
On Armod, Falconer takes a somewhat new and interesting approach in delivering all of the songs in the Swedish language. Previously, Falconer had done some songs in Swedish, but never an album. I know some people who tell me they can never get into non-English albums, but that's never really been an issue with me. I get more into vocal melodies, music, and generally sound than the lyrics themselves (and I can always translate if I feel so inclined). To me, this represented an interesting idea (and OK I am of some Swedish decent so I thought it was kind of neat in this folky context).
Armod did take me a few listens of initial adjustment when I first tried to listen to it. I suppose the vocal hooks didn't catch me as quickly because I couldn't grasp on to the words in the same way I did with the band. I guess it's easier when the band has Always sung in another language than when the presentation is changed and it does alter the vocal melodies a bit. Different languages just do have a different rhythm to them. Worth noting is that the bonus tracks are four of these songs also done in English which is a cool addition.
After the initial adjustment though this is business as usual and business is good. Falconer have a great sound and there's no real need to fix what isn't broken here. The Swedish language brings just enough of a new touch to make this interesting and unique while keeping the core sound intact. If you liked Falconer before, I don't really see any reason not to like this album. Mathias Blad's voice, born of the stage, has a great theatrical quality and the music grabs just the right catchiness from it's folk influences. Power and catchiness really sell this one for me.
Falconer manage to put together yet another strong power metal offering here and this band has a lot of stock with me. They really have a solid career at this point and a Falconer song is instantly recognizable as such. Nice when a band really crafts their own sound like this. If you're into power metal with folk influence than this is for you.
Highlights: Svarta Ankan, Rosornas Grav, Dimmornas Drottning, Herr Peder Och Hans Syster
Rating - 4.0/5
2. Dimmornas Drottning
3. Griftefrid
4. O, Tysta Ensamhet
5. Rosornas Grav
6. Grimborg
7. Herr Peder Och Hans Syster
8. Eklundapolskan
9. Grimasch Om Morgonen
10. Fru Silfver
11. Gammal Fabodpsalm
Bonus tracks -
12. Black Widow (Svarta Ankan - English Version)
13. Grimborg (English Version)
14. By The Rose's Grave (Rosornas Grav - English Version)
15. O, Silent Solitude (O, Tysta Ensamhet - English Version)
Falconer are a band I've pretty much always enjoyed. Even during their temporary parting with vocalist Mathias Blad, I did enjoy The Sceptre Of Deception (though not Grime Vs Grandeur). There is no denying that Blad brings an interesting and unique vocal presence to the band however. It is no small selling point as he has a great sense of melody.
On Armod, Falconer takes a somewhat new and interesting approach in delivering all of the songs in the Swedish language. Previously, Falconer had done some songs in Swedish, but never an album. I know some people who tell me they can never get into non-English albums, but that's never really been an issue with me. I get more into vocal melodies, music, and generally sound than the lyrics themselves (and I can always translate if I feel so inclined). To me, this represented an interesting idea (and OK I am of some Swedish decent so I thought it was kind of neat in this folky context).
Armod did take me a few listens of initial adjustment when I first tried to listen to it. I suppose the vocal hooks didn't catch me as quickly because I couldn't grasp on to the words in the same way I did with the band. I guess it's easier when the band has Always sung in another language than when the presentation is changed and it does alter the vocal melodies a bit. Different languages just do have a different rhythm to them. Worth noting is that the bonus tracks are four of these songs also done in English which is a cool addition.
After the initial adjustment though this is business as usual and business is good. Falconer have a great sound and there's no real need to fix what isn't broken here. The Swedish language brings just enough of a new touch to make this interesting and unique while keeping the core sound intact. If you liked Falconer before, I don't really see any reason not to like this album. Mathias Blad's voice, born of the stage, has a great theatrical quality and the music grabs just the right catchiness from it's folk influences. Power and catchiness really sell this one for me.
Falconer manage to put together yet another strong power metal offering here and this band has a lot of stock with me. They really have a solid career at this point and a Falconer song is instantly recognizable as such. Nice when a band really crafts their own sound like this. If you're into power metal with folk influence than this is for you.
Highlights: Svarta Ankan, Rosornas Grav, Dimmornas Drottning, Herr Peder Och Hans Syster
Rating - 4.0/5
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