1. Finntroll – ‘‘Vredesvävd’
55 out of 60 points, well well, that’s a winner for sure. The whole team had the latest Finntroll album in their top 3! Their last album dated all the way back to 2013, but what a hell of a comeback they made.
Albums like Ur Jordens Djup and Nifelvind remain in my regular rotation, soon to be joined by Vredesvavd. Singles like Mask and Ormfolk could easily nestle in either, despite being conceived a decade apart. Ever familiar entrances, interchanges and melodic aura help to forget the passage of time with supporting gang hymns teleporting to forbidden Forrest soirées.
It should also go without saying that Mathias “Vreth” Lillmåns continues to excel as frontman and vocal expert of the harsh persuasion that only gets better with time, like a yummy spicy whiskey. Not overshadowing the arrangement expertise of keyboardist-composer Henri “Trollhorn” Sorvali. Their latest creation thoroughly satisfies every expectation and scratches all folk metal itches, in complete blackened humpa abandonment.
Tag Archives: Elvenscroll
Best Debut Album 2020: Isenmor’s ‘Shieldbrother’
- Isenmor – ‘Shieldbrother’
I don’t think there has been a year where this unanimous in giving points. Five of the seven voting team-members gave this album the maximum of 10 points. ‘Shieldbrother’ received a total of no less then 64 points. No doubt who won the competition this year. The crowdfunding was already suggesting right from the start, people had high expectations from Isenmor. And the band really mad it up to this expectations. A killer first full length.
“It’s probably too early to call this a “classic” for the ages but it really has that feel of an album you have listened to hundreds of times in your life and always go back to. I love the mix/sound especially the vocals and violins being front and center but never drowning out all of the other incredible things going on. While I thought Poland’s Windmill had debut of the year wrapped up, “Shieldbrother” in one fell swoop has taken that spot over along with a very high position in the overall top albums of 2020 for me….move over Finntroll, Zmey Gorynich and Amiensus. What is “American” folk metal? Raise the stars and stripes as this album is probably one of the finest examples to date and one that will stand the test of time….amazing album.”
Elvenscroll – ‘Never To Be Mourned’ (EP 2020)
Rating: 8.7 Release: 6 November 2020 Label: Inverse Revords When listening to Elvenscroll’s latest release, one will find that true to the album’s name, there is nothing mournful about it. In fact, below the soaring melodies, there is a rather nuanced and incredibly expansive track-list on offer that holds up … Continue reading →