Artist: Elvenking
Title: Era
Genre: Folk Power Metal
Release Date: 14th September 2012
Label: AFM Records
Album Review
ELVENKING is a band comprised of Italians, formed in 1997 with seven studio albums already under their belts, the latest being ‘Era’.Though classed as Folk Power Metal, it seems to throw a feel of ultra-modern Hard Rock especially when it concerns the vocal style, it’s one that aims its appeal at teenagers, possibly as it sounds as it’s sung by one (though considering when the band was formed that’s not exactly the case) rather than the typical very manly vocals of the Power Metal tradition, which should indeed bring them a lot more sales from the impressionable young (read: teenage girls). With this I get reminded of vocalists of RASMUS and/or BULLET FOR MY VALENTINE or if one would go back in time to Axl Rose or Jon Bon Jovi. And I should consider the positive of the matter, maybe exactly such a sound of the vocal may attract into these brands of Metal those who might not have otherwise gone into it and get them to embrace it in more depth, so all’s good, I guess, at the end of the day.
What I’ve just talked about seems very present within the opening ‘The Loser’ the most as the vocal is very prominent and dominating the song (and on top of it there’s a hint of a Punk Rock), it makes itself felt in gusts through the rest of the album as it settles with the Power Metal with Folk elements, tidying those of Hard Rock back under the covers and also the music then manages to overpower the vocal or at least be as prominent as that. Let’s also mention that the album has some guest appearances, and drop the name of Jon Oliva (SAVATAGE). Let’s not forget that there are folksy elements here represented by the expected instruments... pipes, flutes, you name it. The best song from this album would be ‘I Am The Monster’ where Oliva has been featured (as well as on ‘Forget-Me-Not’), and except the memorable hook and the folk elements ornamenting the song rather well in inventive manner, its Oliva’s voice that make it stand out more. ‘Midnight Skies, Winter Sighs’ has its weaknesses as bordering on cheesy at times, but also it’s quite epic and fun-inviting song with a nice darker interlude. Musically it’s slightly enjoyable and even a bit interesting regarding the way they’ve mixed the various genres, but the vocal style just grated on me although as I said already, on the other hand, let’s face it: it’ll win them some admirers as well.
Tracklist
01. The Loser
02. I Am The Monster
03. Midnight Skies, Winter Sighs
04. A Song For the People
05. We, Animals
06. Through Wolf’s Eyes
07. Walking Dead
08. Forget-Me-Not
09. Poor Little Baroness
10. The Time of Your Life
11. Chronicle of a Frozen Era
12. Ophale
Line-up
Damna – vocals
Aydan – guitar
Rafahel – guitar
Jakob – bass
Lethien – violin
Symohn – drums
Websites
http://www.elvenking.net / http://www.myspace.com/elvenking
Cover Picture
Rating
Music: 7
Sound: 7
Total: 7 / 10
