Band:	Iomair
Album:	Fishing For An Apparition
Style:	Progressive folk metal
Release date:	March 2022

01. Cathartic Fable
02. The Return Of The Phoenix
03. Gallows
04. Retake Control
05. Motivation
06. Last Buccaneers Of The Scarborough Inn
07. Homeward Bound

Considering the wealth of folk music there is in the world, it’s a shame that most folk metal seems to either come from a Nordic country or sound like it comes from a Nordic country; it turns out other folk music also works well alongside metal.

Now, that opening sentence is admittedly somewhat reductive (but hey, introductions are hard), since Celtic metal is a thing and Radu helps Romania fill half the folk metal category each year in the awards. Still, it’s not unfair to say that northern Europe, and Finland in particular, has dominated this genre for the past couple of decades, whether it’s of the upbeat drinking song (Korpiklaani), extreme power (Ensiferum), Viking (Havukruunu) or pagan (Moonsorrow) variety. When you consider the merging of folk and metal was first driven by Skyclad and their English-focused music, the lack of diversity in the genre is perhaps surprising, and the impressive nature of bands such as Orphaned Land, Vengeful Spectre and Nishaiar and their own regional influences highlights the untapped potential there is out there. Now, Canada’s Iomair come along with another new spin on the folk metal concept.

Members of this group have been involved with bands such as Nephelium, Nader Sadek and Vesperia, so those familiar with their previous works might be expecting something more on the extreme end of the spectrum, but the truth is quite the opposite. The “Cathartic Fable” that begins this tale is for the most part a mellow acoustic indie folk song, one with emotionally charged vocals, delicate melodies and well-placed orchestral arrangements; it would work nicely played next to the campfire of a county fair, if it wasn’t so melancholic. Still, this is a part-metal album, and the fable does pick up the pace later on for a joyful little hoedown, during which the first growls of the record appear.

From this point, Iomair take listeners on a journey that traverses various styles. Some of the earlier tracks remind me of emotional indie folk such as Adjy, except with some post-hardcore and metal thrown into the equation. “The Return Of The Phoenix” mixes hints of funk, indie and ska alongside up-tempo heavy choruses with pounding drums and screams, even if the surrounding instrumentals (particularly some of the soaring strings and banjo) keep the tone bright and upbeat. “Gallows” is a little gem of a track, one that’s got a Dropkick Murphys Celtic punk energy taken in a more Appalachian direction and an infectious chorus (guest vocalist Johnny Nocash’s voice works perfectly on this track).

This trio of songs gets Fishing For An Apparition off to such a strong start; from there, I find myself less taken by subsequent duo of tracks, particularly the weird funk sound of “Motivation” that reminds me too much of Aerosmith. Still, the record finishes off strongly; “Last Buccaneers Of The Scarborough Inn” at different times has an Alestorm or an ‘extreme power folk’ sound, but the vocals, keyboards and array of different instrumental sounds differentiate it from both, and its ambitiously varied composition makes for an engaging journey. Rounding things off, “Homeward Bound” steps back from folk and pushes the symphonic aspect of Fishing For An Apparition, one of its strongest elements, to its most grandiose, with some delightful strings flourishes at peak moments.

Iomair declare themselves a progressive folk metal band that draws influences from all genres; I don’t really pick up much prog in their sound, and there’s occasional moments (mostly “Motivation”) where that genre-hopping ambitions doesn’t come off, but this is a thoroughly compelling and varied journey that dabbles in waters that I’ve not heard metal venture into before, and for the most part it works out great. Add to that artwork that is going to compete for my favourite album cover of the year, and Fishing For An Apparition is a delightful discovery. Now, can some more metal bands get themselves a banjo?