Rating: 9.5/10
Release: 27 September 2024
Label: Napalm Records

Theigns & Thralls is a five-member international collaboration with members in The Netherlands, England, and northern and independent Ireland. “The Keep and The Spire” is their very first album. The vocals are clean and great, the use of violins and bagpipes are more than welcome, there’s a regal acknowledgement of their own presence, and, most importantly, they know how to write a song.

The renaissance festival vibe is strong here:  all the songs are sung clearly and the melody is familiar. If you play guitar, you can pick it up and strum some one-four-five against most of these melodies. The riffs will require much more work, though, and other instrumentation abounds. It’s all neat and professionally mixed. For a debut with geographically-separated members, the album is impressive. It sounds like any other studio album.

In terms of theme, “Battle of Maldon” and “The Harrowing” are the main tracks. The former is a modernization of a traditional song, and the refrain will live in your head. It has a catchy beat, and it’s followed by “Aftermath”, a short but sweet instrumental lament. “The Harrowing” is another historical piece. In my mind, the album takes place between the eighth and tenth century.

But, let’s get into the tracks. The opening is a little weak. A forty-minute album doesn’t need an overture, especially one with so much production. “A Single Beam” is also rather forgettable, despite the welcoming melody.

With that aside, let’s go! “Battle of Maldon” is a well-written battle song about a tenth century battle between the Theigns of England and Viking invaders. “Aftermath” is appropriately somber. “Pagan Song” is a rhythm-heavy romp that begs the listener to sing along, and it’s followed by “The Harrowing” which tells the educational tale of the split between the north and south of England. As a celtic music player, the melody of “The Seeker” hits remarkably close to home. “The Grape and the Grain” is a formidable drinking song with an opening that shows off what folks can do with a fiddle and a bass. This is my favorite track from the album. “The Mermaid Tavern” is a slower and pretty way to finish the album.

I’ve immensely enjoyed listening to this album. Great talent, writing, and production have truly come together here. As I mentioned, if you like renaissance vibes, you should give this album a spin. I hope this wasn’t a one-off, as I’m really excited to hear what comes next from these folks.

Tracklist

1. Overture
2. A Single Beam
3. Fight And Lay Your Bones
4. The Battle of Maldon
5. Aftermath
6. Pagan Song
7. The Harrowing
8. The Seeker
9. Now My Life Is Done
10. The Grape And The Grain
11. Interrogativa Cantilena
12. The Mermaid Tavern