Metal Blade
2014
1. Locust Swarm
2. Halls And Chambers
3. Black Moon Rising
4. Scoundrels And The Squire
5. Wasteland
6. In Ruins
7. At The Jester's Ball
8. There's A Crow On The Barrow
9. Dawning Of A Sombre Age
10. Age Of Runes
11. The Priority
Falconer had a couple of bumps in the road early on in their career with a somewhat unsucessful vocalist change, but ever since Mathias Blad has been back in the picture the band has been pretty damn consistent. Probably one of the top power metal bands out there in terms of new/modern power metal material really. Going in I really didn't have a lot of doubts that they'd be able to put together a good mix of power and folk again really.
After giving this one some listens I have to say that my faith in Falconer was not misplaced. Black Moon Rising is really just a hell of an album from start to finish. The thing that strikes me most about this one is it just seems relentless in it's assault. There are some mid-paced tracks sprinkled in every song often for a bit of a breather, but aside from maybe the somewhat meandering and folksy Scoundrel And The Squire the album just crackles with energy and more often than not blaze with speed. The gallop is still there and the album is certainly not without folksy passages, but it just seems that the intensity on everything is turned up to 11. If you want a headbangable power metal album look no further. I just really like how this album manages to be heavy as hell, but still folksy power metal with that unique deep, melodic touch of Mathias Blad's vocals. Everything just comes together in a unique way to give this album a lot of identity as probably the heaviest album in Falconer's catalogue while still keeping true to their folk inspired roots.
In terms of highlights the album gets off to a quick start with one of my favorites being the intro and lead off single, Locust Swarm which has it all from a quick gallop, folksy flare, memorable riffs, and one really heavy break that sounds almost thrashy. Hall And Chambers also made an immediate impact on me with it's gallop and catchy, epic chorus and Wasteland brings some more thrashy riffs that I quite like. Seriously heavy stuff for Falconer and I dig it. on the other end of the spectrum The Priory is just a fun folksy number that makes a mark with it's mid-paced catchy roll.
Overall, this album just sells me on it's intensity and totally headbangable nature. This is pretty heavy, in your face sort of power metal. The folk is there, but surrounded by some damn fast Metal riffs. I totally dig this. I'd recommend this to anyone who likes their power metal delivered in unrelenting fashion. Throw this on and head bang away my friends.
Highlights: Halls And Chambers, Locust Swarm, Wasteland, The Priory
Rating - 4.0/5
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