Crimfall-As The Path Unfolds...
February 2009-Napalm Records-NPR 268
By Axemaiden
As the Path Unfolds... is the debut release from the purveyors of dramatic Finnish Viking metal, Crimfall.
The album begins with the mighty ‘Neothera Awakening’, which very much has the feel of a soundtrack not out of place on films such as Beowulf or Thirteenth Warrior. This tempting beginning leads effortlessly into ‘The Crown of Treason’, where we enter familiar folk metal territory. The track is an effortless blend of Helena Haaparanta’s haunting feminine vocals over-arching Mikko Häkkinen’s guttural vocal twists and turns, all against a background of warrior-esque battle cries, medieval style fiddle playing and powerful battle-metal guitar rhythms. The film-like quality is still inherent within this track throughout and towards the end when all that can be heard are the chimes of bells intertwined with enchanting pipes and the sound of someone striking a hammer in the background.
All of the tracks follow in a similar manner; a blend of entrancing pagan-esque vocal harmonies (‘Sun Orphaned’ is particularly beautiful), with the use of unusual stringed and percussive instruments, all on an backdrop of heavy domineering bass, drum and guitar work. Although the realms of folk metal and battle metal are not pushed into new territories with this album, it is still a fine offering and remains one of my favourites so far this year. Definitely an album that is worth listening to.
Official Crimfall Myspace
Official Napalm Records Website
February 2009-Napalm Records-NPR 268
By Axemaiden
As the Path Unfolds... is the debut release from the purveyors of dramatic Finnish Viking metal, Crimfall.
The album begins with the mighty ‘Neothera Awakening’, which very much has the feel of a soundtrack not out of place on films such as Beowulf or Thirteenth Warrior. This tempting beginning leads effortlessly into ‘The Crown of Treason’, where we enter familiar folk metal territory. The track is an effortless blend of Helena Haaparanta’s haunting feminine vocals over-arching Mikko Häkkinen’s guttural vocal twists and turns, all against a background of warrior-esque battle cries, medieval style fiddle playing and powerful battle-metal guitar rhythms. The film-like quality is still inherent within this track throughout and towards the end when all that can be heard are the chimes of bells intertwined with enchanting pipes and the sound of someone striking a hammer in the background.
All of the tracks follow in a similar manner; a blend of entrancing pagan-esque vocal harmonies (‘Sun Orphaned’ is particularly beautiful), with the use of unusual stringed and percussive instruments, all on an backdrop of heavy domineering bass, drum and guitar work. Although the realms of folk metal and battle metal are not pushed into new territories with this album, it is still a fine offering and remains one of my favourites so far this year. Definitely an album that is worth listening to.
Official Crimfall Myspace
Official Napalm Records Website
