Rating: 9/10
Release: 1 October 2024
Label: Napalm Records

Wind Rose hardly needs an introduction, but in case you haven’t heard, they’re a five-member Italian, Tolkien-inspired power metal band, and Trollslayer is their sixth album, It’s a good one. There were a few early-release singles that bode well for the album, and the rest hits like a meteor and doesn’t let up.

Wind Rose has really honed in on their sound, and, ultimately, it’s textbook folk metal: clean vocals, well-mixed bass and drums, guitar, and folky instruments provided by keyboards. It’s Alestorm for dwarves (minus the ethical problems). All of the tracks sound amazing, it was almost impossible to choose a favorite.

So, digging into the tracks, we start with an instrumental overture. Sometimes these are pretentious, but this was enjoyable. “Dance of Axes” sets the tone of the album: fast and bouncy. It was refreshing to hear their sound again. Like other quality bands, it’s the familiar energy of their older works poured into a different mold. “The Great Feast Underground” is essentially a drinking song, which I can very much appreciate. It came across more pirate-themed than dwarven, though. Regardless, there are some great lyrics, and the refrain is catchy. “Rock and Stone” is this album’s “Diggy Diggy Hole”, being something dwarves would sing about set to a catchy melody. Points off because the solo was a little weak..

“To Be a Dwarf” is another early-release song, and a great anthem. I’m calling “Home of the Twilight” my favorite, as there are some great key changes, especially right before the bridge. It’s got a strong melody, and the fiddle effect sounds great. I’ll be bouncing to this for some time to come. “Trollslayer” is the title track and hits hard. Fans will definitely pick this up and shout with the chorus. “No More Sorrow” is a more soulful track to round out the album, but still has the same qualities as the rest of the album.

Every track has a well-written and distinct  melody, and Wind Rose’s fame is confirmed by the quality that’s on display. The tracks are all unique enough and the sound consistent enough that it’s difficult to find any fault. The melodies progress in a way that’s simultaneously familiar in sound and pattern but novel. I said before that the album doesn’t let up, and that’s praise but also a critique: there isn’t much soloing, so despite some hefty track lengths, none of these dwarves can show off, and melodies can’t breathe. This album is constantly in your face.

With that said, like a balrog, it’s a hot and ready to drag you along with it.I can see longtime fans and newcomers enjoying this album alike. None of the songs strike as hard as their breakout hit, but all of these tracks are cut from the same cloth, and it’s a very enjoyable listen. Give it a spin if you’ve even searched Tolkien or Dungeons and Dragons.

Tracklist

1. Of Ice and Blood
2. Dance of the Axes
3. The Great Feast Underground
4. Rock and Stone
5. To Be a Dwarf
6. Home of the Twilight
7. Trollslayer
8. Legacy of the Forge
9. No More Sorrow