Weapon - Heathen Dance EP

Title: Heathen Dance
Artist: Weapon
Genre: Folk Metal
Release Date: 2009
Label: Self-Released



Album Review

Folk Metal is having somewhat of its own renaissance these days - bands like Korpiklaani, Turisas etc. are popping up in magazines across the globe, so it's no wonder that those with a secret urge to add fiddles and lutes to their arrangements are now sticking their heads above the parapet to put their spin on the genre. Though there are many who throw the ancient instruments in as an afterthought to give their lacklustre metal a new dimension (much in the same way crap black metal bands tried to use keyboards to cover their lack of talent up in the late 90s). It may be my cynicism talking, but Folk Metal has hit that point where it has become trendy enough for anyone with a good enough keyboard to replicate a few medieval sounds over the top of their tracks and pass it off as folk.

This Portuguese one-man-project unfortunately comes under that description. This is a bedroom project and therefore is limited by its production and equipment (though as we can see from Burzum's post-black metal albums this isn't always a draw back for seasoned musicians). So yes it is a keyboard, drum machine, and guitar recorded onto the computer job. I wouldn't call it a finished EP either - it sounds like the kind of demo's you whip up for the rest of the guys in your band or your session musicians to take away and see what they come up with for the next practice... but in this sense the songs are actually quite good because you can hear in your head how they would sound with the right instruments and players.

The better tracks on the release ('Feasting in the Middle Ages', 'Hidden Creatures', 'Ode to Boudicca', 'The Curse of Elizabeth', and 'Closure') sound like the old Nobuo Uematsu composed midi soundtracks for the Final Fantasy games - not a bad thing considering how well those midi tracks transfer to full orchestration. The guitar work on the title track 'Heathen Dance' is also very well done - So there is plenty of real song writing talent at work here, but also a dire need for session musicians and professional recording / production to turn these tracks from basic blueprints and into something formidable.


Tracklist

01. The Dance Begins
02. Between the Trees
03. Ancient Glories Celebration
04. Arise
05. Feasting in the Middle Ages
06. Hidden Creatures
07. Ode to Boudicca
08. Defensive Shield
09. Heathen Dance
10. The Curse of Elizabeth
11. Closure


Line-up

Aelle


Websites

www.myspace.com/weapon1143


Cover Picture