Band:	Elvenking
Album:	Heathenreel
Style:	Folk metal, Power metal
Release date:	2001
Guest review by:	schwanderen

01. To Oak Woods Bestowed
02. Pagan Purity
03. The Dweller Of Rhymes
04. The Regality Dance
05. White Willow
06. Skywards
07. Oakenshield
08. Hobs An' Feathers
09. Conjuring Of The 14th
10. A Dreadful Strain
11. Seasonspeech
12. Penny Dreadful [Skyclad cover] [Japanese bonus]

Elvenking - Heathenreel

"Elvenking"? What a lame name... I popped the cd in the stereo and this enchanting, luring folk tune flowed out.
I sat there, staring at the cover art, and the entangling tune combined with the cover suddenly made perfect sense to me. I had the feeling of breaking forest edge and being allured into untrodden territory. Then all of sudden, with an impact that would haunt me to this day, "Pagan Purity" kicks in. I almost fell of my chair... The tranquility was replaced with ecstasy, and there was no way back, for I was already deep within the woods of the kings. The tranquility never returns, and yet it does, just in a different form. One quickly adepts to Elvenking's flow, and the tranquility returns in form of endlessly catchy choruses. But the idea remains, of luring the listener into a place where he believes himself "safe" and then runs him over from head to toe.

This becomes crystal clear with "The Regality Dance"; the intro itself is so bold and corny that it's instantly charming. But it's the solo that will get you nailed. It's a sort of polka-inspirered riff that's bound to make you smile. Elvenking might be catchy, as is the case with the above mentioned tracks, but the truly unique beauty and charming part of this album is the mood it sets. Heathenreel is truly music that screams at you to get-up-get-out-do-something! It begs you to join its reel and jump, dance, sing, be welcome and be overwhelmed. And this is where Seasonspeech enters... Seasonspeech is a dialogue between the four seasons; again the melody twists, thrusts, bends, and flows - you never know whats comming next. This track is the most creative, innovative, and challenging track I have ever heard. The build up in the end is probably also the most genuis and most powerful use of choirs ever, and it's the only time a choir is truly present on the album, making it even more overwhelming. Then, as alluring as it started, it leaves you from a blast gently into a fading silence, totally contrary from the start of the album. And you're left with the feeling of: "WTF JUST HAPPENED!"

This is a very flattering review, but it deserves it. Heathenreel is a fresh blow, not only for power inspired metal, but for metal itself. The technical input from all the musiscians is top-notch; but the truly refreshing part is to hear a metal band who tries to rouse you, instead of burying you.

Heathenreel's only flaw is that it can easily be labeled "cheesy" or "happy" power metal, I can see why people don't care for Heathenreel, or Elvenking for that matter. But I dont understand or believe anyone could hate this album. I would encourage as many people as possible to give this album a chance, it is truly one of the gems of music.
This is only my try to summerize Heathenreel, the album goes way beyond 500 words.

Andreas Schwander