Falconer - Armod review
Band: | Falconer |
Album: | Armod |
Style: | Folk metal, Power metal |
Release date: | June 03, 2011 |
Guest review by: | R'Vannith |
01. Svarta Änkan
02. Dimmornas Drottning
03. Griftefrid
04. O, Tysta Ensamhet
05. Vid Rosornas Grav
06. Grimborg
07. Herr Peder Och Hans Syster
08. Eklundapolskan
09. Grimasch Om Morgonen
10. Fru Silfver
11. Gammal Fäbodpsalm
12. Black Widow [English version] [Limited edition bonus]
13. Grimborg [English version] [Limited edition bonus]
14. By The Rose's Grave [English version] [Limited edition bonus]
15. O, Silent Solitude [English version] [Limited edition bonus]
A significant problem for any band attempting to release a fresh batch of material after having imprinted their own indelible stamp to their sound is the risk of falling into a redundant slump. You know the story, successful band releases new album, this album is simply more of the same which gives you nothing over previous work and this album falls into obscurity. This may, I fear, be the case for Falconer's latest effort.
We've got the trademark folk/power metal combination that's only to be expected from the band and they deliver the goods. Hammering away in an all too familiar fashion on tracks like "Svarta Ankan" and "Rosornas Grav", things are given a really traditional feel with the entirely Swedish lyrics. Slowing up for the wistful yet heavy "O, Tysta Ensamhet" or the swift changes of pace which mark "Herr Peder Och Hans Syster" with Matthias' unique voice enhanced with some well placed feminine vocal accompaniment. That being a highlight, as well as one of the longer tracks on album, it is possessive of a terrific folk swagger which is a great deal of fun to listen to. There are also some shorter tracks which lean more towards the folk metal side of things than Falconer has ever strayed before such as "Eklundapolskan", based on a Swedish folk tune, which follows a simple drum beat letting the fiddle do all the work and power metal guitar work falling in place behind.
This all sounds very refreshing but when Falconer resort to their more usual power metal driven tracks they don't really offer something you haven't heard from the band already. Many fairly standard and unremarkable songs litter this album which might initially give the impression of something new given the language of the lyrics yet in all other aspects fail to leave all that much of an impression.
So while there are some new ideas present in this album, which is evidently carefully produced, there are also many moments that if you are familiar with the band will sound like the same old Falconer. Not that this is particularly a problem, the songs are of course far from stale and will offer some enjoyment, if only for the first few listens.
Rating breakdown
Performance: | 8 |
Songwriting: | 8 |
Originality: | 7 |
Production: | 9 |
Written by R'Vannith | 26.01.2012
Guest review disclaimer:
This is a guest review, which means it does not necessarily represent the point of view of the MS Staff.
This is a guest review, which means it does not necessarily represent the point of view of the MS Staff.
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