Rating: 9.2/10
Release:18 January 2019
Label: Scarlet Records

HiFuror Gallico’s music has a unique degree of authenticity, both to their celtic themes (musical and lyrical) and the underlying ethos that their music has always exuded. Although, it must be said the band has undergone some changes in their sound. The main difference between their self-titled debut album, and their sophomore effort, Songs From the Earth, was how much the emphasis was on the folk elements as opposed to the Metal emphasis. In truth, a further natural evolution was probably inevitable as they sat down to write their next album, the result, however, is their most eclectic album to date.

Dusk of the Ages, is an exhibition in diversity. The album combines the good elements from, Songs From the Earth, with the proven elements of, Furor Gallico, to produce what is indisputably their best release in terms of songwriting merit. With the new album, not only does Davide Cicalese again transition between clean and harsh vocals at a moment’s notice, but he also sings almost entire songs cleanly. The band has also apparently bought into the idea of having a female vocalist to contrast with Davide’s deeper voice. Folk instruments, especially the violins and Celtic harp have also become significantly more prominent, and their tones in the music range from tragically melancholy to something slightly reminiscent of, The Quest, by LEAH. Only one problem prevents this release from surpassing their other albums in areas other than Dusk of the Ages’s compositional merit; the fact that the rich and complicated folk tunes at play on most of the album weren’t implemented across the board. The songs, “Aquane”, “Dusk of the Ages”, and “Gates of Anwnn”, are the biggest examples of this. There are places in these songs where the timing and emphasis of the violins and harps, and how they interact with the guitar and drum dominated sound doesn’t seem as well planned out as it was for the other songs on the album.

While in many ways Dusk of the Ages is better than the Furor Gallico’s previous releases, this slight lack of consistency is it’s achilles heel. Songs From the Earth, was primarily dominated by folk instruments, while Furor Gallico had a balance between the two. On the other hand their latest work, while innovative just seems to regress back to the sound of their debut album for any more traditionally Metal songs on Dusk of the Ages. While that isn’t a bad thing it doesn’t feel like it matches the rest of the album. The lyrical themes are just as broad as the musical influences, ranging from Furor Gallico’s traditional folkloristic themes to songs with self-actualizing subtext, making for an album that is as empowering as it is enjoyable.

Tracklist

1. Passage to a New Life
2. The Phoenix
3. Waterstrings
4. Nebbia della mia Terra
5. Canto d’Inverno
6. Starpath
7. Aquane
8. The Sound of Infinity
9. Dusk of the Ages
10. The Gates of Annwn