It has always surprised me that there aren’t more Folk Power Metal bands – the two styles seem to fit together so well. I guess you could argue that many Power Metal bands over the years have had elements of folk already – Blind Guardian, Orden Ogan, Freedom Call, even Running Wild – when is a jaunty, twiddly-dee type guitar riff Power Metal and not Folk Power Metal? And then you are into the realms of exactly what type of folk are you incorporating and quite frankly by now even I’ve lost interest in my own question. Maybe it’s simply because with Elvenking on their tenth impressive studio album over a 20-year career, any other bands (with exception of maybe Falconer and a couple of others) just thought “Bollocks to it, Elvenking have got it covered, let’s sing about dragons instead” or something like…
Because, to be fair, Elvenking do have it covered and have had it covered for many a year now. Maybe the secret to this talented Italian band’s longevity is probably that they never really cross into full-on folk territory, which might just be too much for many people, instead each track is generally rooted in Power Metal and garnished with folk elements rather than the other way around – but to varying degrees. They have built a following with this ethos and have a back catalogue that thrives in a unique sound that they have personally crafted. “Reader Of The Runes – Divinator” continues that tradition seamlessly.
So what do you need to know about “ROTR-D”? Well, it’s a concept album, the first chapter in a story that will be further explored in subsequent releases. It’s a bit more orientated towards Power Metal than their last few releases – maybe more Power Metal with folk elements rather than Folk Power Metal as they are usually dubbed. It makes me think of where Orden Ogan might have gone if they had been less keen to follow in Blind Guardian’s footsteps…but then Elvenking were around before Orden Ogan…so that analogy starts to get a little complicated, but I’m sure you know what I mean…
And I must say, what an enjoyable, happy and optimistic album it makes it! Up-beat Power Metal with splashes of violin, fabulous folky piano parts (‘The Misfortune Of Virtue’ especially) and plenty of catchy, memorable vocal and guitar hooks. Of course, it also needs adding that as this is a concept album there should be an epic album closer and sure enough ‘Reader Of The Runes – Book I’ does not disappoint – it’s basically a ten minute example of almost everything that Elvenking 2019 are. Elvenking know their strengths and “ROTR-D” displays them once more. There’s no particular change in direction, just subtle tweaks here and there to keep things fresh and interesting. Yep, Elvenking really do have it covered!
(8/10 Andy Barker)
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