Falconer - Black Moon Rising

Power/Folk Metal
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

Slough Feg - Digital Resistance

Heavy/Folk Metal
Metal Blade
2014










1. Analogue Avengers/Bertrand Russell's Sex Den
2. Digital Resistance
3. Habeas Corpus
4. Magic Hooligan
5. Ghastly Appendage
6. Laser Enforcer
7. The Price Is Nice
8. Curriculum Vitae
9. The Luddite
10. Warrior's Dusk

Slough Feg are a band I've liked, but not one I've reviewed before. I'm honestly not sure why that is, but I'm just getting around to them. I guess they just haven't been my largest priority, but there hasn't been a great many interesting releases this year so I'm broadening my reviewing horizons a little here. They're not the sort of band where I own a ton of their releases or a favorite, but I like their sound well enough and figured I'd give the new one a go.

Well, maybe this wasn't the best album to write my first review of the band for. Quite frankly, I've heard other stuff from the band that is much better than the songs on Digital Resistance. For the most part the album seems like it's stuck in a rut it can't quite break free from. I like Slough Feg's sort of folky, galloping influence, but most everything here never gets above a slow trot. Really a lot of the songs here have as much in common with folk rock as heavy metal. I like the folk influence fine, but you just keep waiting for a lot of these songs to break out into a higher energy gallop and they seldom do. A lot of the material here is just too ponderous/meandering and I really would have liked some more metal kick.

For the most part the album just kinda passes by without being particularly bad or good. The sound is decent, but the songs seem lethargic. There are a couple of good highlights worth noting though. Ghastly Appendage is one I like for it's sort of creeping feel that couples well with the horror vibe of the track. This is no speed demon either, but it has a nice mood to it. Perhaps the one song that does find the proper energized rhythm is Laser Enforcer which has more punch than anything else here. Magic Hooligan is the fastest track here, but it's not very well arranged and just sounded chaotic.

Overall, this just isn't a particularly noteworthy release from Slough Feg. The band has done better and I really expected better. This might be worth a look for the hardcore fan, but I wouldn't expect much and would not recommend this as an intro to the band. Digital Resistance is just not their finest work.

Highlights: Ghastly Appendage, Laser Enforcer

Rating - 2.5/5

Turisas - Turisas2013

Folk/Symphonic Metal
Century Media

2013

1. For Your Own Good
2. Ten More Miles
3. Piece By Piece
4. Into The Free
5. Run Bhang-Eater, Run!
6. Greek Fire
7. The Days Passed
8. No Good Story Ever Starts With Drinking Tea
9. We Ride Together

Turisas' last album was one that kind of caught me by surprise. I hadn't really heard much of, or listened to the band, prior to Stand Up And Fight. It was a pleasant surprise though as I found the album heavy, epic, and addictive. The album pretty much made me a fan so I was looking forward to hearing some new material from Turisas.

As the release of Turisas2013 drew nearer though a couple things gave me some pause. Number one was the extremely uninventive title and number two was samples I heard in advance of the release. Neither filled me with a lot of confidence and after listening to this one through it seems my concern was justified. Where as Stand Up And Fight was a lesson in sounding epic, this one tries to be a bit more whimsical and just comes off as goofy a lot of the time.

The biggest problem for me on Turisas2013 is that the songs just don't have the same kind of build to epic choruses and don't strike the same heavy notes. The orchestration is there, but it just doesn't seem to have the same significance or lead to the same kind of bombastic power. Most of the tracks are decent, and their sound hasn't Entirely changed, but they never really find that next level. Nothing that makes me want to yell out "Rising! Fighting!". Worse, some of the material just seems random, often with misplaced shouting, and lyrics that are just plain dumb.

Some songs that just entirely lose me on this one are Run Bhang-Eater, Run! and No Good Story Starts With Drinking Tea. I'm not even opposed to some vaguely comical songs. I mean, I'm a Tankard fan so that should tell you all you need to know about that, if you know the band. The problem is Turisas' symphonic stylings and sound aren't really made for this approach. When the band growls out lyrics like "Public erection, gives little affection" it gets more of a groan from me than a laugh. This is just the wrong direction for the band in my opinion.

On the other hand, one bright spot here is Ten More Miles which sounds fairly epic and has a fun music video that accompanies it. The video is more successfully amusing as it shows some guy day dreaming in his dreary office job of warriors, etc. Basically, this one finds a way to be fun without becoming entirely too silly, and still has a good amount of power. The Days Passed is also pretty enjoyable with a nice energetic roll. This is the kind of thing I want to hear from Turisas. Give me songs about them hunting pirates or fighting for glory and keep me the songs about their boners.

Overall, this is an ok album, but it's rarely more than that. This is certainly a big drop off in quality from Stand Up And Fight as the band just doesn't bring the same kind of majestic and heavy tunes to the table. This might be an alright pick up for fans, but it's not their strongest effort. Maybe the comical nature of this album will sit better with some others, but I want my symphonic stuff to have a little more of an epic air than this. Turisas2013 just doesn't have the kind of power I want out of the band.

Highlights: Ten More Miles, The Days Passed

Rating - 3.0/5

Amorphis - Circle

Gothic/Melodic/Folk Metal
Nuclear Blast

2013

1. Shades Of Gray
2. Mission
3. The Wanderer
4. Narrow Path
5. Hopeless Days
6. Nightbird's Song
7. Into The Abyss
8. Enchanted By The Moon
9. A New Day

Going into this new Amorphis album I was fully expecting good things, but wondered if I'd be getting great ones. To this point, since the vocalist change to Tomi Joutsen, everything has been at least good and that is not a small accomplishment. Losing a vocalist and recovering is always a challenge and the band has done a good job in moving forward. Credit where credit is due. That being said, I did not like The Beginning Of Times as much as Skyforger and it hasn't really stuck with me. I guess it just didn't have those big highlights like Skyforger or Eclipse that made me want to go back again and again. That being said, Silent Waters was similar so the band has alternated between good and great albums since the change.

Well, after listening to Circle I'd say this falls just a little short of what the band is capable of again. Maybe things have just gotten a bit static and predictable for a band who basically based their identity on being shapeshifting. What Circle brings to the table is a somewhat familiar formula at this point of melodic, gothic music and deep vocals mixed with earlier death metal vocals and influences. The songs are competent, flowing, and enjoyable, but don't really break the established molds to stand out strongly on their own. I don't want this review to come across as all negative because the band sounds good and there's never a time I don't like this album. I just feel like the songs could be a bit more adventurous and like this is lacking those songs that Really grab your attention with something unique.

The best tracks of this album comes when the folk influence the band has incorporated at times takes center stage. Narrow Path and Mission are good examples of this and they do have nice energy and melodies. Even these are relatively predictable though and blend together just a little too much. Certainly, the folk melodies they bring in are nothing new to metal. Basically, this album just lacks a Two Moons, House of Sleep, Silver Bride, Sky Is Mine, or even a Silent Waters to get me really excited.

Overall, I like this and the band does well with their sound. I'm looking for the next level though and Circle doesn't quite give it to me. This is just a little too safe to get me really excited and put this in the running among the top albums of the year.

Highlights: Narrow Path, Mission, The Wanderer

Rating - 3.5/5

Orden Ogan - To The End

Power Metal
AFM
2012

1. The Frozen Few
2. To The End
3. The Things We Believe In
4. Land Of The Dead
5. The Ice Kings
6. Till The Stars Cry Out
7. This World Of Ice
8. Dying Paradise
9. Mystic Symphony
10. Angels War
11. Take This Light
12. Masks (Bonus Track)
13. The Battle Of Waterloo (Bonus Track - Running Wild cover)

Orden Ogan's last album Easton Hope was my first experience with them and I must say they were a pleasant surprise. Nice power metal with a touch of folk influence to it. Easton Hope impressed enough where I was looking forward to hearing some more from this band. Always nice to have some newer blood in the Power Metal scene. To The End is their fourth album and they released their debut album in 2004, but that's still pretty young in this sort of scene. There are so many older bands out there at the top of the heap or bands made up of members of older, well known bands.

After a nice melodic, guitar driven intro, the album kicks into high gear pretty quickly with fast paced power metal energy. Much like the last album, Easton Hope, there is an epic power metal approach with some subtler notes of their more folk oriented early influence. It's a nice blend that conjures up comparisons to Falconer for me, though maybe a bit more direct. Blind Guardian is an obvious comparison as the vocals are of the Hansi Kursch school, but the music has notes of the band as well. At times the way the leads and rhythm guitar play off each other also gives me a bit of a Running Wild feel. That, of course, is only made more obvious by the fact they cover The Battle Of Waterloo as bonus here. In terms of that cover, I'll take the Running Wild version, but it's still a nice choice and gives a little insight into who inspires this band. Nice homage, if not really that great standing on it's own.

As for the other/original tracks, there are a number of good cuts here. To The End's high speed heaviness and epic layered vocals provide good energy and the folk inspired roll of The Things We Believe in makes for a strong and catchy single. Till The Stars Cry Out is another that I like as a totally balls out track with it's unrelenting speed and happy/layered vocals. Also worth noting is the slower ballad, The Ice Kings. I really dig this track as it carries a lot of emotional power to it and the vocalist really shines as his voice is allowed to breathe a bit more in the subtler atmosphere. I appreciate change ups like that and tracks like this keep things from getting too one dimensional.

It's easy to say you've basically heard songs that are similar to these perhaps, but the band does it well. To me this is just a band taking a variety of influences, crafting their own sound out of it, and making for good straight up power metal. Sometimes I just want epic, classic, speedy power metal and this is highly satisfying to that end. Hell, I'd say this band sounds a lot more passionate and convincing then a lot of the older power metal bands who tend to go through the motions and just put out an album for the sake of it.

Basically, this album is top notch for the sound it gos for and it kept my head moving. Lately, it seems like really convincing, high energy power metal albums are harder to come by to me and this album fills that hole pretty well. To The End just excels at it's sound in my opinion and I'd recommend this to anyone who likes speedy power metal with an epic vibe and big choruses.

Highlights: To The End, The Things We Believe In, The Ice Kings, Till The Stars Cry Out

Rating - 4.0/5

Turisas - Stand Up And Fight

Folk Metal
Century Media

2011

1. The March of the Varangian Guard
2. Take the Day!
3. Hunting Pirates
4. Venetoi! - Prasinoi!
5. Stand Up and Fight
6. The Great Escape
7. Fear the Fear
8. End of an Empire
9. The Bosphorus Freezes Over
10. Broadsword (bonus cover)
11. Supernaut (bonus cover)

Turisas are a band I've enjoyed for a bit, but sometimes with the number of bands out there some get lost. It's hard to pay attention to every band in the scene sometimes. Some would say there's a few good and a lot of crap, but honestly I'm of kind of the opposite opinion. Sure there are duds in any scene, but sometimes I find it hard to actually keep up with all the bands I think are worth it.

Well, after listening to this new one, Stand Up And Fight, I may need to move Turisas up in my priorities a bit. This is just a damn fun album. The epic choruses and the sing songy nature of some of these choruses just gives the band a great energy. Very catchy and very memorable songs push this one over the top for me. I can also picture Turisas doing these songs live as being a great deal of fun where the crowd just wants to join in.

Musically this is a pretty solid blend of some more aggressive vocals and fairly heavy music coupled with more flowing and power metal-ish music. At times this even moves towards the more flowing and atmospheric to establish the epic tones of the material. Pretty good blend I must say and the songs utilize the various tones in a way that completely works. I do think this album hits you with it's best songs early, but all of the album is worth the price of admission.

In conclusion, I think this is a good crossover band and album for those who enjoy harder/harsher metal and epic power metal. Probably strays a little more towards the later on this release, but I still see this as a band with solid crossover potential and maybe more widespread appeal than the typical power metal band. Well worth checking out if you like catchy, epic metal.

Highlights: The March of the Varangian Guard, Take The Day!, Hunting Pirates, End Of An Empire

Rating - 4.0/5

In Extremo - Sterneneisen

Folk/Medieval Metal
Island Records

2011

1. Zigeunerskat
2. Gold
3. Viva La Vida
4. Siehst du das Licht
5. Stalker
6. Hol die Sterne
7. Sterneneisen
8. Zauberspruch No. VII
9. Auge um Auge
10. Schau zum Mond
11. Unsichtbar
12. Vermiss Dich

In Extremo are a band that I am fairly new to, but have been digging lately. Based on a recommendation, I've been listening to a lot of their stuff and really liking it. This band just combines good heaviness with folk/medieval instrumentation in exactly the way I like. By the time I got this one in my hands I was looking forward to it.

Well, the new album doesn't disappoint. If you dig this sort of style than I'm sure you'll like this album really. Not exactly a traditional slice of metal, but it can be nice to break the tedium with something like this. Combining a non-traditional metal sound with the power and depth of non-standard instrumentation just makes for an interesting listen. There's something refreshing about this style and the different instrumentation really does lead to new horizons to explore. I find that adding different instruments just leads to different atmospheres and frankly more depth if done right. Not to mention the sort of epic vibe of bagpipe leads, etc just leads to a nice larger than life feel.

I'm also very much a fan of the sort of modern metal style they implement if done correctly. Maybe not for purists, but pretty good by me. There's just a sort of polished crunch to their leads. Then again I also dig the sort of modern/industrial heaviness of bands like Rammstein anyways. I do get some reminders of that at times and not just for the german lyrics/singing either. This is more truly 'metal', but crunch and groove feel is similar at times.

All in all, this is an intriguing listen from good songwriters. If you like a sort of medieval atmosphere and modern/industrial metal than this is a solid listen from start to finish.

Highlights: Zigeunerskat, Viva La Vida, Zauberspruch No VII

Rating - 3.5/5

Falconer - Armod

Power/Folk Metal
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

Alestorm - Back Through Time

Folk/Power Metal
Napalm
2011

1. Back Through Time
2. Shipwrecked
3. The Sunk'n Norwegian
4. Midget Saw
5. Buckfast Powersmash
6. Scraping The Barrel
7. Rum
8. Swashbucked
9. Rumpelkombo
10. Barrett's Privateers (Stan Rogers Cover)
11. Death Throes Of The Terrorsquid

Alestorm are a band that I initially viewed with a bit of skepticism. As a fairly dedicated Running Wild fan I was somewhat learly of another band taking up a pirate metal theme. Over the past two albums I've really come to enjoy this band and believe they both have their place however. We won't even talk about crap like Swashbuckle. Anywho, while Running Wild was more of a speed metal band with a pirate flavor, Alestorm has played up the sea shanty theme a bit more with a folksy slant. At this point I'd say both have their own takes, styles, and are both worthy.

On that note I'm going to start this review with the lyrics that made me bust out laughing. Scraping The Barrel comes through with the laugh inducing line "You may think you've heard all this music before. That Running Wild did it back in '84. But time are a'changin and we don't give a damn. So If you don't like it, go start your own band". Fantastic. I love how very not seriously these guys take their lyrics, etc.

The first word that comes to mind when listening to Alestorm is just 'fun'. This music is ridiculously so. This stuff begs for you to sing along to it and has a great energy & catchiness. Pirates = metal and this album does it as well as the band has since they started. Three albums in and I'm richly enjoying their style.

All in all, this is pretty comparable to their other albums. I will say it seems like there's a bit more emphasis on some pretty heavy guitar. Maybe a little less folksy and a bit heavier. At times the music gets downright thrashy. There's still plenty of epic sing song pirate feel though. If the idea of metal sea songs appeals to you than you absolutely should get this.

Highlights: Shipwrecked, The Sunk'n Norwegian, Scraping The Barrel, Rum

Rating - 4.0/5

Subway To Sally - Kreuzfeuer

Folk Metal/Rock
Nuclear Blast

2009

1. Aufstieg
2. Judaskuss
3. Besser Du Rennst
4. So Fern, So Nah
5. Die Jagd
6. Einsam
7. Komm in Meinen Schlaf
8. Angelus
9. Krähenkönig
10. Niemals
11. Versteckt
12. Vater

Subway To Sally are certainly a band who suffer from retarded name syndrome. I have to admit that the name initially turned me off to even giving the band a chance. The first time I heard of Subway To Sally the name just made me assume that they must be some emo or metalcore band, but that is far from the truth.

The best way I can think of to describe Subway To Sally is Rammstein gos to a Renaissance fair. The riffs often has a heavy industrial feel when they kick in to gear but there is also a fair amount of orchestration and non-standard instrument use. The members of the band members have everything from bagpipes, flutes, violins, and lutes listed among their credits. An interesting combo that all comes together to conjure dark and heavy atmospheres with a unique touch. Also worth noting is that, like Rammstein and some other bands of this vein, the singing is entirely in German. I've talked to some people who can't get into music with lyrics/singing they can't understand, but this simply isn't the case for this reviewer. As long as it sounds good... I'm in.

In some ways I think calling Subway To Sally any form of traditionally defined metal is a stretch, but I figured I'd review them anyways as A) I've seen them listed on metal sites such as the archives, B) They're on Nuclear Blast, and C) I just plain like them. I'd recommend this to anyone who likes bottom heavy industrial riffing and/or folk touches to their metal. The use of many instruments and world music sort of atmosphere coupled with something that still comes off as heavy and dark is a win in my book.

Highlights: Einsam, Judaskuss, Vater

Rating - 3.5/5

Alestorm - Black Sails At Midnight

Folk/Power Metal
Napalam

2009

1. The Quest
2. Leviathan
3. That Famous Ol' Spiced
4. Keelhauled
5. To the End of Our Days
6. Black Sails at Midnight
7. No Quarter
8. Pirate Song
9. Chronicles of Vengeance
10. Wolves of the Sea

Black Sails At Midnight marks the second album from this gimmicky new band. I liked the first one well enough as some of the songs succeeded at being catchy sing along sort of pirate songs. This band hasn't blown me out of the water (yuck yuck) but their debut was good enough to merit a second listen.

Black Sails At Midnight is much like the album that preceded it. Really, I could sum this review up with two comments. Those are don't expect anything new and if you're ok with that and liked the first album then you should like this as well. There's not a whole lot remarkable about this since the gimmick has been done (and a bit better), there's not really amazing guitar work, and the singer can barely do just that with his gruff voice that's practically spoken most of the time. The singer's raspy yarr me matey voice does have a certain charm though and songs like The Quest and Keelhauled in particular have a good energy and they nail the sing along pirate sea chantey vibe they're going for. Basically, what the band is good at is a fun niche and that's not a terrible thing. The album is a little hit and miss, but even the songs that aren't great still are pretty decent. Plus there are insanely catchy and energetic tunes like Keelhauled that pull up the album's ranking. That one is the definite highlight, accordion and all.

Basically, what we have here is an album that doesn't have a lot of stunning musicianship or really bring much new to the table. However, when it comes down to it this album does have some fun songs and not everyone needs to reinvent the wheel or blow me away with their skill. If you can just not take this band too seriously then there's some good stuff here.

Highlights: Keelhauled, The Quest, Pirate Song

Rating - 3.5/5

Falconer - Among Beggars And Thieves

Power Metal
Metal Blade

2008

1. Field Of Sorrow
2. Man Of The Hour
3. A Beggar Hero
4. Vargaskall
5. Carnival Of Disgust
6. Mountain Men
7. Viddernas Man
8. Pale Light Of Silver Moon
9. Boiling Led
10. Skula Skorpa Skalk
11. Dreams And Pyres

For a band who's first album only dates to 2001, Falconer has put out a number of albums and has already went through a considerable amount of drama. Falconer made quite a splash in the power metal scene with their debut then things slipped when their vocalist departed and it seemed they might be in trouble. However, it did not take them long at all to get their singer back and their last album Northwind put the band right back on track. It's almost like their career is on fast forward as the output has been high and they've already gone through that whole original singer coming back to the fold bit.

As far as the new one, Among Beggars And Thieves gos, there's not a lot of surprises really. If you like Falconer's upbeat power metal with a touch of folk and dramatic deliveries than this is a fairly safe album and their signature established on the first album is stamped all over this. Like the original follow up though this album doesn't seem to have quite the fire and memorable songs that Northwind carried. There are a couple parts in this album that seemed like the band were trying too hard as well. I mean, A Beggar Hero could fit on a folk album easily. Granted it's a ballad, but I would've liked a touch of metal to it. Another track that gets too folky in parts to me would be Mountain Men which has one folk passage that sounds kinda silly and out of place. Maybe it's just me as I'm not much of a fan of too much folk in metal, but it seems over the top. I prefer the band when they're just galloping and ripping ahead with energy and memorable vocals line to these sorts of sing songy folk parts. On a similar note, Dreams and Pyres tries too hard to be epic and dramatic and those parts of the songs fall a little flat, while the more upbeat moments are actually quite good. None of these songs are really bad or unlistenable, but they are my nitpicks of this release.

In a way Falconer's output almost seems cyclical to me at this point. The debut was great, the follow up was good but not as good, the debut with the new singer was strong, the follow up was not, the return of the old singer was great, and now this one... is good, but not great basically. The bottom line is this will be enjoyable to Falconer fans, but I wouldn't call it their best release. As evidenced by the rating though, this is nothing to pass on either if you like the band.

Highlights: Field Of Sorrow, Man Of The Hour, Pale Light Of Silver Moon

Rating - 3.5/5

Alestorm - Captain Morgan's Revenge

Power/Folk
Napalm

2008

1. Over the Seas
2. Captain Morgan's Revenge
3. The Huntmaster
4. Nancy the Tavern Wench
5. Death Before the Mast
6. Terror on the High Seas
7. Set Sail and Conquer
8. Of Treasure
9. Wenches & Mead
10. Flower of Scotland (The Corries cover)

When I first heard about this band I was fairly skeptical as to me, and most who know them, Running Wild already owns this sort of gimmick so to speak. Not that no one else can do it but they will inevitably have to be compared to a band with some really excellent material and a great take on the subject matter. What I'm talking about for those who might not realize is pirates.

I've got to say that all comparisons aside I do enjoy this release and they do have a slightly different, more folk infused take on pirate themes in metal. It works quite well for them as this whole album has a sort of sing-along nature and the tracks resemble metalized sea shanties and tavern songs. Musically this band just seems addictive and unlike some bands with folk influences doesn't get too bogged down in that for me and keeps things metal. The vocals are definitely not going to win any awards for singing but they are a part of the band's success in sound as the gruff, sometimes talked about vocals just give you the impression you're hearing a pirate singing on a ship. I think the one big musical gripe I have on this album is that a certain very familiar riff creeps up in Terror On The High Seas... yeah I've heard Grave Digger - Hell To Pay too guys.

In conclusion, this is just a fun album in it's feel and catchyness. If you like power with a hint of folk and these sort of sing-along folky song structures with some fast, heavy, and gruff power metal than this is worth pursuing.

Highlights: Over The Seas, Nancy The Tavern Wench, Captain Morgan's Revenge

Rating - 3.5/5

Falconer - Northwind

Power Metal
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

Falconer - Grime Vs Grandeur

Power Metal
Metal Blade

2005

1. Emotional Skies
2. Purgatory Time
3. I Refuse
4. Humanity Overdose
5. The Assailant
6. Power
7. No Tears For Strangers
8. The Return
9. Jack the Knife
10. Child of the Wild

Well it's time for Grime Vs Grandeur. I know who wins and I'll give you a hint. It's not Grandeur.

Falconer's debut was one that got a lot of power metalheads excited because it offered a fairly unique style courtesy of the distinctive vocals of Mathias Blad. With the exit of Blad a lot of people feared for the band's future, but The Sceptre Of Deception made a lot of critics eat those words as the new vocalist both managed to sound like Blad and cover new ground. So with the band surviving the lineup change I really had no worries for this one. I mean... they had a winning formula going.

Well apparently they decided... fuck that. Let's stop doing anything remotely original. What people REALLY want is the same old euro-power drivel that a million bands are pumping out daily. Forget our unique vocal sound... who needs it? What we need are happier choruses and more prototypical power sounding music. To put it simply this album is just pure mediocrity. Coming from such a promising band with a sound of their own this is just really disappointing. So much promise has just been thrown out the window here. I wouldn't recommend this album to anyone really. Especially fans of the band's former works. It's passable, but nothing I'd go out of the way to listen to.

Highlights: Nah not really

Rating - 2.0/5