Label: Independent
Genre: Epic Folk Metal
Links: https://mythbegotten.bandcamp.com/album/tales-from-the-unseelie-court
Line-Up:
Dan Barbour – Lead Vocals
Connor Hoffman – Guitars, Backing Vocals, Additional Keyboards
Joe Sopchak – Keyboards, Bass Guitar, Backing Vocals
Tracklist:
1. The Heedless Horseman
2. Omen of Embers
3. Mallt-y-Nos
4. Beneath Exham Priory
5. The Fall
6. The Terror of Lothian
7. Twa Corbies
8. Of Wrath and Ruin
Drawing inspiration that would make Charles Dickens proud if he wrote heavy metal, Mythbegotten crafts a unique blend of rock, metal and folk elements. The American band weaves tales reminiscent of the darker aspects of ‘A Christmas Carol‘ mixed with ‘The Strange Case of Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde‘ by Robert Louis Stevenson.
Their storytelling prowess shines through songs inspired by diverse mythology and literature: ‘The Heedless Horseman‘ draws from the Irish Dullahan legend, while ‘The Terror of Lothian‘ tells of Scottish cannibal Sawney Bean (who inspired ‘The Hills Have Eyes‘). H.P. Lovecraft’s ‘The Rats in The Walls‘ becomes ‘Beneath Exham Priory‘, and Welsh folklore’s Wild Hunt transforms into ‘Mallt-y-Nos‘. Arthurian legend emerges in ‘Omen of Embers‘, Milton’s ‘Paradise Lost‘ Book 4 inspires ‘The Fall‘, and Tolkien’s Battle of the Pelennor Fields from ‘The Return of The King‘ manifests as ‘Of Wrath and Ruin‘.
The band defies genre expectations, constantly introducing surprising elements – take ‘Mallt-y-Nos‘ with its unexpected combination of death metal vocals and intense drumming setting the stage for Welsh mythology. Their musical expertise and vocal performances complement these rich narratives perfectly, creating a cohesive experience.
For narrative enthusiasts, this album demands full immersion through headphones. The depth of lore combined with exceptional execution makes it a compelling journey worth taking.
Written by: Adrian Hextall
Ratings: 7/10
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