Folk Power Metal
AFM Records
Release Date – April 28th 2023
Line Up:
Damna – Vocals
Aydan – Guitars
Headmatt – Guitars
Jakob – Bass
Symohn – Drums
Lethien – Violin
Tracklist:
1 – Rapture
2 – The Hanging Tree
3 – Bride Of Night
4 – Herdchant
5 – The Cursed Cavalier
6 – To The North
7 – Covenant
8 – Red Mist
9 – Incantations
10 – An Autumn Reverie
11 – The Repentant
Elvenking is back – four years after their previous release ‘Reader Of The Runes – Divination’ the first part of a trilogy centered around the mystic world of runes, magick, and ancient supernatural powers. This is the second installment subtitled ‘Rapture’ which gets heavier and darker.
The epic title track gets us underway and it’s clear that Elvenking means business. The riffs are huge courtesy of guitarists Aydan and Headmatt it’s heavy the melodies are still right up there. ‘The Hanging Tree’ gets heavier still and faster thanks to Symohn’s rapid double bass drum that enters into power metal then the melodic metal gem ‘Bride Of Night’ has a catchy refrain not dissimilar to the Girls Aloud hit ‘Promise You Made’. (I hang my head in shame for knowing that) it’s a great song, nonetheless. ‘Herdchant’ is power folk metal of the highest order where the guitarists peel off some quality lines than ‘The Cursed Cavalier’ rattles along on a galloping riff which leads to the thunderous ‘To The North’. ‘Covenant’ has an eastern feel before it moves into a metal fist pumper then we get ‘Red Mist’ a floaty, folky ballad to begin with then it slips into some more wonderful power folk before ‘Incantations’ brings back the metal that’s punchy and epic. ‘An Autumn Reverie’ blasts into a dark pounding thrasher after a beautiful violin intro then the final track ‘The Repentant’ takes us out with another power metal banger.
The first installment was good, but this is even better. The band is more accomplished and having been written during the lockdown they took their time in honing their craft. Darker, and heavier but still melodic and catchy with some complex and skillful songwriting and performances. This will be at or near the top of everyone’s albums for ’23.
Score: 9/10
Reviewed by: Smudge
About Author
