FOLKEARTH „By The Sword Of My Father”

Music: Melodic Folk/Viking Metal


Website: http://www.folkearth.cjb.net, www.metal-archives.com/band.php?id=30998
Country: Sweden (international)
Cool Songs: By The Sword Of My Father, Naglfar Sets Sail, The Death Of Beowulf, Instrumental, Tribute To Viking Gods

The first album by FOLKEARTH was something new, something which the world had never seen before. The compilation of pagan and folk metal musicians from Europe. Now, there is even more of them. The band has grown up to 31 musicians. And they are not only from Europe any more (MOONROOT – the USA; the band line up changes very recently, so in the site section I added a link, where you can check the whole group). This time the album is longer, over 70 minutes of material combine to create the prodigy: “By The Sword Of My Father”. The strength of the previous album was enhanced by the variety of instruments used in the recording sessions. Now there is much, much more than that. The sound roundabout has been reinforced. And the final effect is absolutely fabulous.

The album starts very poetic and this feeling follows the listener till the end of it. Again, there are some visible similarities and links to BATHORY’s “Nordland”. That is why I decided to take away half of point. FOLKEARTH exist from some time now, they have their own style, but still, they slightly take pattern on others.

“The Lady’s Gift” is a fast and really melodic composition. Double guitar, changing pace and those furious speedy drums inform us, what can we expect from this CD. And the sending is: great amount of power. The title song also starts very poetic (as I mentioned above, the whole has a poetic character) – flute parts are fantastic. And suddenly the whole is accompanied by heavy guitar riff and deathish vocal (the flute is still there). The chorus is a real pagan model – mad drums, very pathetic vocal line and the violin, create a fantastic mood. Followed by a solo on an acoustic guitar. This song is full of surprises, changes of style and patterns. The only thing that is permanent is the chorus. And that is the power and beauty of this composition.

The strength of this album is also imprisoned in the length of the songs. The longest track of the previous album was slightly over five minutes. The rest lasted for around three minutes. Whereas here, most of the compositions last for more than four minutes, many of them reaches the border of six and even eight minutes. Finally, there is time for the songs to reach the ear and imagination.

“Naglfar Sets Sail” sounds deathish (sometimes like CRADLE OF FILTH) with elements of folk. The mixture of style creates very good impression. It starts and ends in a dynamic way. Whereas “The Death Of Beowulf” starts very pathetic – the falling rain (as good as that in BLACK SABBATH’s “Black Sabbath”) creates the grim atmosphere. And the whole composition, about Hrothgar’s brave knight, is very characteristic. It really differs from the rest. The guitars, drums and violin create the feeling of demonic grief and fear. And Grendel’s growl is marvellous. Not to mention the variety of pace and patterns used in his composition. “Skaldic Art” is similar to “The Lady’s Gift” – quite fast and melodic, with deathish vocal accompanied by a choir. “Domain Of Darksome Ravens” sounds heavily, again with deathish vocal. And that mad guitar can give goose bums. The chorus is very similar to the one sung in the title song. So this track, after a while, loses its fresh character. Next song starts very slowly and the keyboard and flute intro creates a lyrical mood. It is all reinforced by sweet feminine voice, later on supported by fleshy vocal. FALKENBACH’s cover “Heathenpride” sounds nice. There is a bunch of people who say, that covers usually sound better than the original versions. I say, that this variation is very good, but FALKENBACH’s style is unrepeatable.

After ther heaviest part of the album comes a time for calming down. “Elves” helps the listener to feel quiet. The same goes with “Invictus” – wonderful lyrical ballad sung by a beautiful feminine voice accompanied by a man’s vocal. It moves the soul. Sometimes it sounds just like the music from old westerns – composed by ENNIO MORRICONE. I am absolutely sure, that the Master himself, would like this song very much. The next part is very short but powerful – “Wisdom Of Wolves” is very heavy, quick and powerful riffs, variety of vocals – a mini poem. “Sailing A’Viking” is also very short, but poetic. And the most characteristic feature is, that there are no guitars in this composition. But this does not matter, because it fits the whole. “Tribute To Viking Gods” sounds at the beginning like a sailor’s song. When the heavy guitar takes the lead, the character changes and makes this song a real twister. The last track “Journey Ends” is a good outro. It is very pathetic and involves the listener’s imagination. It depends on you, what image will appear in your mind’s eyes. I’ve seen a path to Valhalla and up there, Valkyries and old Viking warriors.

This album is better than the previous one. On the base of style and sound. Those style changes are very good and make every song unique. The duration of the album also has an effect on the quality. Finally you have the time to love the band. And the variety of sounds. I deliberately skipped one track: number six “Instrumental”. This is the essence of Folk Viking Metal. The huge dose of sounds from heavy guitars, old tribal drums to bagpipes. There are only two main melodic motifs, but they simply grasp your mind and do not want to let go. You just listen and wait for the previous motif to come back. Amazing composition. If someone has mixed feelings about FOLKEARTH, after listening to song number six, those feelings will not be mixed any more. Henceforth they will be fixed… fixed on FOLKEARTH. Let’s hope, that the next album is going to be as good as this one.

note: 9.5/10

Tracklist

1. Introduction
2. The Lady's Gift
3. By The Sword Of My Father
4. Naglfar Sets Sail
5. The Death Of Beowulf
6. Instrumental
7. Skaldic Art
8. Domain Of Darksome Ravens
9. Returne To Waelhalle
10. Heathenpride (Falkenbach Cover)
11. Elves
12. Invictus
13. Wisdom Of Wolves
14. Sailing A'Viking
15. Tribute To Viking Gods
16. Journey Ends (Outro)

Total playing time 72:23

Line-up

Hugin – Keyboards
Athelstan – Electric Guitar, Bass, Drum Programming, Vocals
Wulfstan – Vocals
Magnus Wohlfart – Electric & Acoustic Guitars, Keyboards, Vocals
Jeremy Child – Drums
Daniel Fredriksson – Medieval Lute, Mouth Harp
Simon Frodeberg – Bass
Kristofer Janiec – Violin
Michelle Maas – Vocals
Niklas Olausson – Vocals
Daniel Pettersson – Keyed Fiddle
Ruslanas – Spoken Vocals
Tobias Andrelang – Bass
Achim Eberle – Percussion
Ralf Gruber – Drums & Percussion
Bernd Intveen – Electric Guitar
Sanine Stelzer – Bagpipes, Flute, Schalmey, Percussion
Marcus Van Langen – Acoustic Guitar, Saz, Bass, Percussion, Viking Flute,
Vocals
Andre Groschopp – Electric & Acoustic Guitars, Keyboards, Vocals, Tin Whistle,
Violin, Drums
Marios Koutsoukos – Vocals, Keyboards
Stefanos Koutsoukos – Bass
Nikos Nezeiritis – Acoustic Guitar
Hildr Valkyrie – Vocals, Keyboards
Mark Riddick – Recorder, Percussion
Axel – Electric & Acoustic Guitars, Bass, Vocals
Becky – Celtic Harp
Alessandro Caruso – Drums, Percussion
Francesca Crotti – Violin
Igor Saviola – Vocals
Raven – Celtic Harp
Ulven – Acoustic Guitar