Amorphis - Skyforger (2009)

Amorphis have been on quite the tear since acquiring Tomi Joutsen; it is now the third album with this new singer, yet another quality effort which aspires to (but doesn't quite reach) the level of some of their classics (Tales from the Thousand Lakes, Elegy). At the same time, it leaves behind none of the melodic progressive folk/rock aesthetic which the band has been pushing since Tuonela. Skyforger is a happy medium between all walks of the band's career with the exception of their early death & doom.

Joutsen has always had the range to fill the shoes of Pasi Koskinen, but it does seem the band is intent to focus on his clean style, to which he adheres the Finnish gothic radio rock influence of his other band (Sinisthra). He meshes well with the compositions of Skyforger as he did Eclipse and Silent Waters, but I do wish the band would use more growls. I realize they've long sinced moved on from that as their modus operandi, but some of the melodies on this album would have sounded superior with drawn out gutturals over them (think the title track of Elegy). At any rate, the rest of the band is in fine form. The guitars conjure folkish melodies over simple chord patterns and the pianos & acoustics are tastefully implemented. It's Amorphis.

The 10 tracks here are fairly consistent in quality. "Sampo" initiates the album with a stream of twisting, catchy guitars while Joutsen cants some soothing melodies. There are a few breaks in the song with orchestration/flute, but they create a tasteful counterpart to the rocking. It's actually a pretty complex tune and Joutsen does break out the growls later in the track. "Silver Bride" uses a pretty safe melodic structure, and the verses feel 'meh' but the bridge and chorus become quite fetching. "From the Heaven of My Heart" (ugh) begins with some piano balladry, but picks up into a familiar rocking territory. The opening to "Sky is Mine" is very reminiscent of some of the band's Tuonela material, but it's the catchiest track (thus far) on this album, with a memorable chorus. "Majestic Beast" is a heavier track, with growls used as the primary vocals...man WHAT A DIFFERENCE! If only the band has gone this route on more of the tunes. Needless to say, this one brings you right back to their glory days, before they return to safe mode with "My Sun". "Highest Star" is another of those tracks teasing ballad status before it begins to rage, some of the middle segments are quite excellent. "Skyforger" and "Course of Fate" are likewise heavier tracks, emotionally powerful even with the cleans. The album ends on a great note with "From Here I Rose", one of its strongest pieces, again the growl vocals really kick ass.

Skyforger is certainly a strong effort. I really enjoyed its predecessor, Silent Waters, but I think once this gets past the first few tracks, it is every bit the equal. The production is top notch and the performances are superb all around. I can imagine this will be a great album for the autumn when I'm doing scenic drives in New Hampshire and Maine; like many of their previous works, it creates a harmonic confluence with the natural world, and the folklore of Finland's history. The lyrics are poetic and true to the band's past. A few of the early tracks could have used some more growling, it would have created a beautiful atmosphere to counter and enrich the melodies. At least we get this in "Majestic Beast" and a few of the others. Growls are not a bad thing. If someone so much as suggests that they are, shoot them. Either way, I am far from disappointed with the 9th full-length from Finland's sons.

Verdict: Win [8.5/10] (No shape for loneliness)

http://www.amorphis.net/

Nachtgeschrei - Am Rande der Welt (2009)

If you've been lacking some melodic German folk metal of late, then you may wish to sample the sophomore effort of Nachtgeschrei, which serves up a slice of liter metal fare with some moving bagpipes and synthesizers, ever tasteful and used solely to drive the ghostlike native tongue of vocalist Holger Franz. Though the band cites In Extremo as an influence, and there are some similarities, this is far catchier.

The simmering acoustics of "Fiur" lament the day before the heavier guitars accumulate with some searing melody, parting for the first vocal track "Muspili" which features some great pipe playing and hard rocking verse. Franz' voice uses a mid range here but each line is delivered with passion, his performance throughout the album is memorable. "Herz aus Stein" and "Fernweb" are both pretty amazing pick me ups with vibrant melodies soaring atop well selected, driving metal chords. "Niob" has some shaky and haunting vocals with a big chorus breakdown. "Lauf" flows from grooving acoustics to another wall of majestic melody. Other good tunes include "Der Totmacher" and the wonderful closer "Glut in euren Augen".

This is pretty much pure pagan folk, but if you're expecting snarls or growls this is not the place. The band sounds fantastic thanks to a high production standard, whether it's the acoustic builds or the infallible sense of melody across the soaring chorus. The vocals are original, captivating and never descend into the silly antics of similar bands. This is one manly, excellent album, well worth tracking down if you like your folk metal on the playful side i.e. Korpiklaani.

Verdict: Win [8/10]

http://www.nachtgeschrei.de/

The Moon And The Nightspirit - Regõ Rejtem (2007)

The second album by The Moon And The Nightspirit, a Hungarian folk band, features lyrics entirely in Hungarian, dealing with subjects like nature, spirits and other pagan concepts. The music features a large variety of ethnic instruments, and Agnes provides an absolutely beautiful vocal performance.

Regõ Rejtem contains nine songs, all of which are quite distinct, yet have a sound similar enough that they don’t stand out too much. This keeps the album interesting, without feeling disconnected, or any of the songs feeling too much out of place. The band has also been very wise with their use of instruments, as with an abundance of folk instruments, they never go overboard with them. Using only the necessary ones to produce the sound they’re looking for, they achieve more than if they tried to jam all the instruments they possibly could into the music. Some folk bands do not show this restraint.

The music throughout the album is relatively slow and tranquil, but dynamic enough to keep the listener interested. The songs are simply beautiful, and something about them speaks to the small primal piece deep inside, that embraces nature and times long past. Regõ Rejtem was also the first time I purchased an album based on hearing just one song. Éjköszöntõ convinced me that I have to hear the rest.

I could keep praising the album, but that isn’t going to serve any real purpose. I would heartily suggest checking Regõ Rejtem out if you can conceive any possibility of liking pagan folk music with beautiful female vocals.

Verdict: Epic Win (9/10)

http://www.themoon.equilibriummusic.com/

Hammers of Misfortune - Fields/Church of Broken Glass (2008)

With their latest offering, the Hammers of Misfortune have achieved perfection in the fusion of folk, blues, progressive rock and old school heavy metal. This is technically a double-LP, but the playtime is equivalent to just a really long, single album. Regardless, it's monumentally good, surpassing The August Engine as their best work to date, and far eclipsing their previous offering The Locust Years.

The lyrics are psychedelic explorations of both history and the world we live in, and they are excellent (some of the best I've heard this year). You need not listen beyond the "Agriculture" trilogy of tunes opening up the album to find examples.

Motorcade, motorcade, easy to mark
Send in the snipers to swim with the sharks
Red light is burning, the head count's a joke
Soon they'll be feasting on mirrors and smoke

Who can forget lines like this? I know I can't. And throughout the album the vocal delivery of John Cobbett and crew are excellent, in particular the vocals of Jesse Quattro which easily represent one of the best female vocal performances of 2008. For examples of what I mean, listen to the superb "Rats Assembly" and "Butchertown". The rhythm section of Ron Nichols and Chewy Marzolo really keep the pace here, giving the album all the vibe of the best 60s and 70s progressive rock. The album is at times busy, serene and longing.

You will not hear another thing that sounds like it this year. And before you think they've lost that metal edge, listen no further than "Aways Looking Down", or the Ozzy-like, fun stylings of "Train". And you're getting 70 minutes of quality here, ladies and gentleman, one of the best long playing albums of the year (I know it's the best double-album I've heard).

This is essential listening for any person of musical taste, whether it be 70s prog fanatics, folk rockers or avant-garde metal worshipers. You owe it to yourself to track down and immerse yourself in this American masterpiece. Fuck yes you do. This may just be the best US answer to Pink Floyd yet (one of the few bands I could compare it to with a straight face).

Verdict: Epic Win [9.5/10] (truly an experience)

Everything is metal now
Metal is the king whose crown is melted down
Everything is concrete now
Concrete is the queen who's kingdom crumbles down
in Butchertown.

http://www.hammersofmisfortune.com/