Rating: 9/10
Release: 11 April 2025
Label: Reaper Entertainment

taly’s premier Folk-influenced Power Metal outfit, Elvenking, are now on their twelfth album and this is the third, and I assume, final part of their  Reader of the Runes series. While I’m not and never have been a fan of Power Metal in general, I must admit to always having had a soft spot for Elvenking. With that said, I have found their output to be a little hit and miss, but rather appropriately considering their musical style, they are improving with age like a quality cheese. The previous installments of the aforementioned ROTR series, were among the best of the band’s career, so I have been looking forward to hearing this one.

Opening track Season of the Owl is a surprisingly thrashy little number, underpinned with a slick, understated fiddle melody and some virtuoso keyboard flourishes reminiscent of the sadly missed Children of Bodom. Next up are the one-two punch of the jaunty Luna, which lodges itself in my brain instantly with its deviously catchy  melody and Gone Epoch which has a faint air of Falconer about it. So far, so promising. Luckily, the rest of the album continues in the same vein and though it never strays too far from the band’s well-worn sound, the band are deftly and gradually growing and evolving. While the band’s love of Folk Metal legends, Skyclad has always been apparent and openly acknowledged, this is now being complemented by subtle progressive influences from the likes of Nightwish and the aforementioned Children of Bodom.

Overall, ROTR – Luna is an enjoyable and satisfying listen, which is comfortingly familiar, yet at the same time, forward thinking and progressive. With a genuine knack for a catchy chorus and skillful use of melody, Elvenking are masters of their domain, and this album is definitely up there with their best. It might be a bit early to say this, but for me, ROTR – Luna is a strong contender for Folk Metal album of the year.

Standout tracks: Season of the Owl, Luna, Thrones of Atonement.

Tracklist

1. Season of the Owl

2. Luna

3. Gone Epoch

4. .Stormcarrier

5. Starbath

6. On These Haunted Shores

7. The Ghosting

8. Throes of Atonement

9. The Weeping

10. Reader of the Runes – Book II