Rating: 7.6/10
Release: 1 April 2019
Label: Stygian Crypt Productions

My instincts tend to drive many of my decisions, mostly because it’s time conscious and I know I can trust them. Ever the eternal optimist, I caught on to Last Wail at first listen as a straightforward Viking Battle metal band from Russia; very promising indeed. Last Wail have been around and all together (quite impressive) since 2008, returning for Forgotten from Tales of Endless Night and Memories in 2011 and 13 respectively, a hiatus of sorts leads us into this third effort. Previous comparisons have referenced Ensiferum with which I would completely agree. In fact, it feels like Last Wail has taken direct inspiration from the gods on tracks like Woodcutter, Kill Them All, and Dragon Slayer. That last one being the only one to incorporate any clean singing or chanting at all by the way; a battle/Viking metal staple that is missing throughout the rest of the album to help vary the vocals. Don’t get me wrong Alien has a solid, rich and pronounced death growl, delivered in English. In fact, even though these guys are Russian, it is not at all evident from their music one bit.

Overall, there is clever songwriting and structure with varying faster rhythms and guitar central melodies. Valeria Storm is the perfect example of this starting the album off with a harpsichord melody that caries throughout. The downtuned riffing however, is standard and picking questionable at times. The album, in my opinion, is plagued in this manner for the duration; all the right components that don’t quite reach completion. At times the arpeggios come across messy, others, completely unclear. On a positive note, there are many-a-folk instruments sprinkled in delightfully; one signature is so yesterday, Last Wail dabbles in harps, flute, violin, accordion and keys.

Going back to my previous thesis that perspective matters and changes depending on circumstance, this review is no different. I’ve heard Forgotten several dozen times by now and I still can’t make up my mind. Some folk melodies sound trivial, unfinished almost and lacking deep technical understanding of harmony. Yet sometimes, I really enjoy tracks like Undying, Walking Bird, Moonlight and Fallen Mountain is a very nice closer. In general, and as an unfortunate contradiction to my initial instincts, Last Wail fail to establish an emotional connection for me on Forgotten however, I will keep an eye out for their future work.

Tracklist

1. Valeria Storm 03:47
2. Runes 04:03
3. Woodcutter 04:01
4. Kill Them All 03:18
5. Undying 03:28
6. Walking Bird 03:28
7. Moonlight 03:37
8. DragonSlayer 03:23
9. The Enemy 03:43
10. One More Hero 03:59
11. I Hear Your Summons 02:07
12. Three Axes 03:41
13. Fallen Mountain 03:58