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: Isenmor
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.”
Shieldbrothers
Isenmor Interview
As grim as 2020 has been, one major bright spot has been the debut album from Baltimore Maryland USA’s Isenmor. “Shieldbrother” has swept in and become my debut of the year and with good reason…..the album is filled to the rim with epic folk metal with track after relentless track. We had a handful of the Isenbrood attack some questions we sent their way. Violinist Mark Williams, Bassist/Vocalist Mike Wilson, Guitarist/Vocalist Tim Regan, Violinist/Vocalist Nick Schneider and Guitarist Pete Lesko all contributed to questions regarding the album, the songwriting, the crowdfund campaign and a few other items of note… check it out…
Isenmor – ‘Shieldbrother’ (2020)
Rating: 10/10 Release: 9 October 2020 Label: independent / Bandcamp I would usually say for a band to be in existence for 5 plus years and only have a single and an EP to show for it would be disappointing. In the case of Baltimore’s Isenmor, they get a major … Continue reading →
Pocono Folk Metal Fest III
By: Jeff 3 & 4 November 2017 Pocono Plaza Inn, Stroudsburg, USA First of all this will be heavily biased….. let’s get that out of the way right up front. The 3rd installment of the Pocono Folk Metal Festival took place November 3rd and 4th in good ol’ Stroudsburg, PA … Continue reading →
Baltimore’s finest: Isenmor
Baltimore Maryland USA’s Isenmor are about to release their debut EP “Land Of The Setting Sun”. With a combination of thrash and some good old folk and traditional touches along with the metal, the Isenmor boys are ready to take over. A few of the guys chimed in on some of questions regarding the EP, the recording process and some of their summer touring plans…..
Feedback
Congratulations of “Land Of The Setting Sun” which has been in my heavy rotation for a while now…..have you gotten some feedback prior to its release (June 21st)?
Nick: We have gotten a few reviews already (thanks for yours by the way), and have a few more expected before the release. Feedback has been mostly positive, so we’re pretty happy about that.
Mike: The feedback has been really great, both in terms of praise and honest criticism of things we could improve on. Overall, we’ve been very pleased so far.
Isenmor – ‘Land of the Setting Sun’ (EP 2015)
By: Jeff Rating: 8/10 Release: 21-6-2015 Label: Independent Right after my first review of an American band in 2015 (the epic new album from Wilderun) we now have the opportunity to review the first EP from Isenmor from Maryland with their first EP “Land Of The Setting Sun”. The EP … Continue reading →