Album Review: ELVENKING Reader of the Runes

The Italian energy/folks metallic band Elvenking follows up 2019’s Reader of the Runes – Divination with Reader of the Runes – Rapture, the second installment of a deliberate trilogy. The band had some lineup modifications over the previous few years, however they need to be clean transitions. Drummer Symohn returned after a 5 yr absence, and touring guitarist HeadMatt was promoted to change into a full member of the group.

The remainder of the six-piece ensemble has been within the band for a minimum of at decade. Two members, guitarist/harsh vocalist/keyboardist Aydan and lead vocalist Damna, have been in Elvenking for each studio album going again to their 2001 debut Heathenreel. Eleven albums in, the band has established a sound that’s constant, but additionally with some variations from report to report.

This time across the album’s storyline of tragedy and violence pushed Elvenking to take a darker and barely heavier musical method. “This gave us the possibility to dig deep into our excessive metallic influences,” Damna reveals. “We’re primarily a melodic metallic band – we all know that – however we really feel that with this album we’ve set an extra gold commonplace in what this band is ready to pull off.”

Melody nonetheless exceeds extremity by a large margin. Elvenking units the stage for what’s to return with opener “Rapture,” the album’s longest track at simply over six minutes. The epic observe begins with a reserved method earlier than the heavy guitars kick in, augmented by symphonic environment. Bombast offers strategy to folky influences earlier than kicking again in with a hovering guitar solo. “The Hanging Tree” is melodic and simple, squarely within the energy metallic area.

“Bride of Evening” incorporates temporary harsh vocals, however it’s really some of the melodic and accessible songs on the album, whereas the rousing “Herdchant” brings folks entrance and middle. Spoken phrase and harsh vocals take a bigger position on “To The North,” which supplies drummer Symohn an opportunity to showcase his chops within the intro.

“Covenant” is a enjoyable mixture of eighties metallic riffs, a folky method and a few cinematic environment. These disparate approaches really work nicely collectively. “Purple Mist” begins as a saccharine ballad earlier than kicking in and redeeming itself with a powerful second half, that includes a few of Damna’s greatest vocals and one other top-notch guitar solo.

Reader of the Runes – Rapture does lose some momentum towards the tip, although some excessive moments present a burst of power to “An Autumn Reverie” and nearer “The Repentant” throws in some black metallic vibes to wrap up the track.

The band shouldered a lot of the manufacturing load, with assist from Scott Atkins (Cradle of Filth, Behemoth), who additionally dealt with mixing and mastering duties. The manufacturing does a pleasant job showcasing the band’s dynamic method, an excellent stability of heaviness, melody and environment.

Harsh vocals are used sparingly however successfully, and personally I believe rising these a bit would make for much more selection and distinction. Nonetheless, those that loved Reader of the Runes – Divination will discover loads to love with Reader of the Runes – Rapture, and it will likely be attention-grabbing to listen to what method Elvenking takes on the finale of the trilogy.