Elvenking - Era (2012)

By homeland Italy, Elvenking is seem to be destined a power metal band. Put in additional violinist Elvenking become an awesome combination between power metal and folk metal. Already exist since 1997, the 7th album called "Era" was released September 2012. What you need is to expect a melodic folk tune along with power metal feel all along the album.

Start with a single and first video music of the album, The Loser. This is thundering drum + fiddle folk melodious riff combined with killer guitar riff. What to expect except jump into the joy of absolutely villager power metal. The singer Davide Moras is an interesting voice in this style, he is much more heavy metal feel, something that need to adapt for the rest of the album. Guitar solos built up nicely from the thematic violin melody. I Am The Monster is standard folk metal rhythm, in the middle, the interlude is very thick using all catchy folk odd meter. Midnight Skies, Winter Sighs use a more melancholy intro with only vocal, flute and acoustic guitar, then the power metal riff come, it's very in a classic way. A Song For The People is expected acoustic folk tune, bring the atmosphere back to the village and jungle.

Then quickly to follow up is We, Animals. The song opened with a well composed intro, a play in synth loop, guitar melody and folk groove drumming. As in most of song, the violin interlude done well in this song. The fast song keep going on until Forget-Me-Not , that a rather simple ballad, in rather pop style. There are several voice mixed that end very nice and keep up with the mood. There still strong moment to point up in the later part of the album, Poor Little Baroness is last of that epic power metal moments. Elvenking then dedicated several tracks for more acoustic feel of folk songs. Then end the sixty minutes of this album.

In this album, Elvenking show how easy to blend folk instrument alike violin into powerful metal. Not forget to mentioned a collide between male and female vocal, done by Netta Dahlberg in some of the songs. The power metal still take the core feel, but the folk metal dominated the theme melody, chorus and accentuation interlude with many odd meters. Drummer Symohn is need to credit for bring in all style of beat into powerful metal bank. Combination of duo guitarist and violinist is strong point in this album. If you looking for something "Stradivarius" metal come to hear what Elvenking done in this album.

Metalharem class: ******** eight points out of ten

Elvenking - Era (2012)
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01. The Loser
02. I Am The Monster [feat. Jon Oliva]
03. Midnight Skies, Winter Sighs
04. A Song For The People
05. Animals
06. Through Wolf's Eyes
07. Walking Dead
08. Forget-Me-Not
09. Poor Little Baroness
10. The Time Of Your Life
11. Chronicle Of A Frozen Era
12. Ophale
13. Khanjar [Limited edition bonus]
14. Grey Inside [Digipack edition bonus]
15. I Am The Monster [Damna's vocals only] [Digipack edition bonus]

Line-up
Davide "Damnagoras" Moras - vocals
Aydan - guitars
Raffaello "Rafahel" Indri - guitars
Jakob - bass
Symohn - drums
Fabio "Lethien" Polo - violin

Cover artwork with mysterious tone color and concept.