Battle Tales – ‘The Ire of the Condemned’ (2018)
Rating: 9/10
Release: 12 January 2018
Label: Independent / Bandcamp
My family comes from Switzerland so I am always interested in anything Swiss and the band Battle Tales is a welcome diversion for my ears. They have crafted a heavy, melodic debut with “The Ire of the Condemned”. A concept album of sorts, the songs tell the tale of the bearer of a haunted flute and the madness and death that it brings. The bands vocalist Romaric Gendre also plays the whistle, recorder and keys and is very good at all his roles. His voice carries the album through with beautiful clean singing and heavy growls and screams. Manuel Cordova handles the guitars and lays down some very memorable riffs throughout. Kris Beaud, on drums and Benjamin Bonjour, on bass round out a very capable band and lay the foundation for some complex tracks that veer into almost progressive time changes. The album is very well done and features many folk music flourishes scattered into the tracks. The whistle and recorder are particularly memorable. There are also some memorable violin parts handled by Joachim Koerfer and a particularly moving cello performance by Gabriel Tricot on “Beside a Dying Fire”. “Dark Omen”, opens the album with the soothing sound of running water and flute and sets the stage for the massive second track, “Sweet Melodies of Fury”. This track brings awesome guitar riffs, massive melodies, and excellent clean and aggressive singing. It is the perfect beginning for the album. Romaric Gendres voice is particularly effective on “The Battle Bard “a song which instantly brings to mind the melodies of Van Canto. “Bloodlust Invoked “brings more memorable riffs and a more aggressive singing equally well done. This album reminds me a bit of Valhalores memorable debut released last year as it features the same mix of heavy and clean singing and an engaging sense of melody. Each track is its own story and carries the theme of the album as well. Songs like “War of the Pints” and “Ire of the Condemned” , are moving and complex. The quiet “Beside a Dying Fire”, is a moving respite from the high tempo of most of the album. Folksy and effective, it once again reminds me of Van Canto if they used instruments. The album closes with the epic “Sailing to Unsung Havens” . The longest track on the album at 7 plus minutes, it once again brings together all the elements that make this an excellent debut album. This is a complex and moving album that really rewards repeat listens and can get lodged in your brain for days. Enjoy at high volume!
Tracklist
- Dark Omen (Intro) 01:54
- Sweet Melodies of Fury 06:10
- The Battle Bard 05:10
- Bloodlust Invoked 05:07
- L’homme est un loup pour l’homme 05:44
- War of the Pints 04:33
- Ire of the Condemned 06:52
- Beside a Dying Fire 05:46
- Sailing to Unsung Havens 07:48