FALKENBACH

Heralding: The Fireblade

Napalm

7.5 / 10

Track listing:

01. Heathen Foray
02. Of Forests Unknown
03. Havamal
04. Roman Land
05. Heralder
06. Laeknishendr
07. Walkiesjar
08. Skirnir

A refreshing change of pace and a melodically pleasing experience, FALKENBACH's fourth album, "Heralding: The Fire Blade" proves yet again (to me anyway) how a folk music core can be so eloquently intertwined with metal when the right mind is put to work creating the combination. It is the mind of Vratyas Vakyas that has worked overtime (as has been the case since 1989) in melding majestic folk rhythm patterns with black metal chord progressions and epic tunefulness to make "Heralding: The Fireblade" more an adventurous pagan journey than just a selection of eight well-written tracks.

An indication of the balance struck between the mid-tempo (like a march at times) electric folk melodies and up-tempo black metal tunes (with folk accents) is how well the album flows from one song to the next. Right from the start, the mesmerizing beat and melodic vocals of seven-minute "Heathen Foray" hooks you immediately. And though the tempo is kicked into high gear and the black metal guitar harmonies and menacing screams of "Of Forests Unknown" follow immediately thereafter, one never feels as though the contrasting musical forms do not belong together. Catchy folk melodies, this time enhanced with sections of alluring acoustic guitar and accented with pleasant vocal harmonies return on "Havamal". The varied elements come together effectively on "Heralder", a tune that also includes baritone and normal register spoken word sections and exquisite violin work, elements also heard on "Laeknishendr" (featuring a nice tempo break) and "Skirnir".

The only noticeable downside is that the songs never reach true climactic heights. The focus seems more about creating hypnotic hymnals or driving grooves. I wouldn't exactly call it a problem though, as the album's consistency tends to work as an offset.
Much like a good book, "Heralding…" takes the listener through a range of emotions that while ostensibly existing at opposite ends of the spectrum are held together by a common conceptual bond. The end result is quite satisfying.

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