I'm not a huge fan of epic fantasy metal, but this Finnish interpretation of Tolkien's wonderful world is just a must hear. Battlelore is a world known epic metal formation, enforced with a huge fan base. The group excels with turbulent music with a lot of lovely chosen crossover influences. Battlelore began its journey with a first full length album "... Where The Shadows Lie" in 2002 (after some much acclaimed and mouthwatering demo cd's). Now Napalm Records is proud to present the newest production The Last Alliance. If all goes well, just another bull's eye! Time to have a closer look at the already fifth full length release of Battlelore.
Battlelore brings to life a very well known emotive feeling, we all know from our book shelves. The lads from Finland go back to the Middle Earth landscape of Tolkien. The first glances show an adornment of battle metal, but with a somehow mid-tempo feeling. The epic gothic structures can fight out a matter with the top epic metal music. On the artistic and heavenly beautiful cover we see Sauron (with ring), one of the grand actors of the War of the Last Alliance. This is the remembrance of the glorious time and the great pact, just before Isildur got corrupt. The first song "Third Immortal" definitely sets tone. The heavy metal instruments build up the epic pace, the vocals just are wonderfully epic. It's a twisty combination of brutal grunts and sweet female vocal sounds: A superb intro! The synth song structure manages to create two different tempo lines within the track, the drumming work fastens the melody. This immediately is a killer song of high quality. The third song "The Great Gathering" creates an even more interesting spirit. It has a splendid and distinctive atmosphere; a guide through Tolkien's Middle-earth. The musical juggler extend a more grim and epic radiation. It is more overwhelming and daring, and I like it. Great. At the middle of the album, the epic fantasy soul is a bit sagged out, and that's a pity. Song number six for example "Daughter Of The Sun" seems a bit uninspiring. But this little minor doesn't harm the atmospheric soundscape. The energy and rhythm of the next song for example, the track with title "Green Dragon", is a jewel. The female vocalist parts are tender en gentile, the hoarse masculine expressions are moved to the background, but do guide the aggressive pounding beats. Catchy and very well-considered.
Get ready to embark on an excellent journey to the epic Tolkien universe. Battlelore leads us to very diverse guitar riffs and keyboard mastery, combined with the most sweetest and daring vocals. This is the best fantasy metal experience!
Tracklist:
- Third Immortal
- Exile the Daystar
- The Great Gathering
- Guardians
- Voice of the Fallen
- Daughter of the Sun
- Green Dragon
- Awakening
- Epic Dreams
- Moontower
- The Star of High Hope
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AUTHOR: Hamirubi
Hamirubi is becoming a Corazine-senior. He has, besides his obsessive dedication to the French néo metal scene, a very healthy interest for low profile underground music to the most commercial songs. You can also find him reading Benelux literature, riding his bike, drawing/collecting comic books and writing local history in his spare time.