Rating: 8.5/10
Release: 4 August 2023
Label: Running Wild Productions

Nemoreus is a six-member Austrian folk-metal band who probably don’t even need this amount of introduction. I wrote the review for Chapter One, and I’d recommend going back and reading it first. The folky, plaintive, flutey, minor-key metallic goodness continues with another three-track chapter in the Orcunadoras saga that lasts just over twelve minutes.

I previously wrote that I couldn’t wait to compare and contrast, so let’s get that out of the way: It’s entirely in English this time and, appropriately, follows the story and references the first chapter. The whole mood and tone is consistent and the lyrics carry the story forward. I slightly prefer this chapter to the first one. Listening to them together is a treat.

It starts out with “The Demon Inside”, a medieval sounding song in 6/8 with a few changes and surprises in it. “The Travelling Warrior” used my favorite spelling variant of “traveling” and had a catchy little refrain. “Into the Dawnlight”– Spotify told me that I’d already liked this song before listening to it for this review– has a cameo by the lady vocalist and a familiar folk melody. It’s very pleasing.

In short, this works well. It’s a great form factor that gets music to the listeners more quickly. It’s an engaging story so far, and I want them to keep releasing these forever.

Tracklist

1. The Demon Inside 04:01
2. The Travelling Warrior 04:29
3. Into the Dawnlight 03:46