Band:	Suidakra
Album:	Emprise To Avalon
Style:	Melodic death metal, Folk metal
Release date:	2002
Guest review by:	Talvi

01. Darkane Times
02. Dinas Emrys
03. Pendragon's Fall
04. The Highking
05. The Spoils Of Annwn
06. The Quest
07. And The Giants Dance
08. Song Of The Graves
09. Still The Pipes Are Calling

Have you ever heard of SuidAkrA? No? Then sit down, you young Children Of Bodom fan. You too, In Flames poser. The Gallery as the best melodeath album? Rethink that...

Yes, it's so simple. SuidAkrA is the best melodeath band ever. As you may know, melodeth metal is probably the most riff based (and yes, I know Children Of Bodom ain't, but most kids think they are melodeath) metal genre, and SuidAkrA is the band that has, overall, the best riffs in any metal band (and maybe nonmetal too).

But don't think of a better riffed Arch Enemy, because SuidAkrA has their own style. They mix some folk/celtic influences on their music (and of course, riffs). Another reason to love them. They have two vocalists: Arkadius (hey, it's SuidAkrA backwards! What a coincidence!) does growls, while the other guitarrist does clean vocals. They both fit the music (not like other bands) and are used effectively.

Enough talking about the band. Now the album. This is a (conceptual) album about Arthur, Avalon and those fantasy things, which is nice. The opener is the best track the band has ever done. Yeah, so amazing. But this album has a minor flaw. It's very short. Nine tracks, but only 3 are real songs. They are between 4 and 6 minutes long, so about of 35 minutes of ownage only. The other tracks are two short interludes, that are both amazing. But the last one, "And The Giants Dance..." is a too long acoustic instrumental song. Five minutes isn't long, I know, but it's too damn repetitive. The same riff without any addition, until the end that changes a bit. That fucked off the 100 score.

But don't worry about the length. If you are new to this band, get the next album. It's almost as amazing, but less epic. And it lasts longer. If you already know the band, get this now. Their best songs are here. And the best melodeath songs, too!