Rating: 6/10
Release: 28 March 2011
Label: Independent

An Argentine band for a change. With today’s globalization, it is still surprising that bands are apparently still very influenced by bands from their own region. Because we find a unique style in South America. What we notice in these bands that they were influenced more strongly by the “old school” heavy metal, they mix power metal with bagpipes and stuff.
This includes the first full length of the Argentine band Tengwar, everywhere we hear whistles, bagpipes, hurdy gurdy and you name it. But the foundation of the music does not come from black metal, but much more from the “old” heavy metal.
When you look at the tracklist, you will not be surprised, the band gets its inspiration from the works of Tolkien. The album takes us on a journey through Tolkien’s Middle Earth.
The band has not a lot of production experience and you can hear that on the album, but with such a complex set of instruments it has become pretty decent. The instruments can be heard well everywhere, but unfortunately not all songs are equally strong.
The woman’s voice in a song like “The Swan” is a beautiful addition to the music nicely complementing the folk instruments.
No strong album of the Argentines, but the band sounds that they are able to make great music and that we need to take a number of South American bands into account .

Tracklist

1. Return of the Shadow
2. A long expected Fading
3. The Halfling Rise
4. War Begins
5. Marching South
6. Snow and Defeat
7. The Password
8. Dwarf Sings in the Night
9. Fire and Shadow Defied
10. The Pilgrim’s gone
11. In the Land of the Golden Trees
12. Farewell
13. The Swan
14. Uruks
15. The Bearer’s choice