Passengers in Panic Archives

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.”

Folk-metal.nl