From out of nowhere, this British folk metal band have delivered an album of the year contender. It is an amazing combination of traditional acoustic folk melodies and prog/orchestrated metal that sounds nothing like the Scandinavian pagan sound you automatically associate with folk metal. The folks leans hard into the Celtic/British side with shades of Clannad and early 70s Canterbury interludes. The metal leans into the cinematic style of Tage/TSO with the Ayreon pomp mixed in it, yet it all remains anchored by Jethro Tullesque melodies (complete with flute, of course) It’s lush, serene, galloping, and rocking throughout.
