F A L C O N E R

Chapters From A Vale Forlorn-2002


when you say Falconer, you automatically think"medieval" and this goes twice for their latest release, Chapters From A Vale Forlorn. The album has everything an album needs in order to be a good power metal release, and then some.By far not the worse signing of Metal Blade, this swedish band is , in my opinion, the better and a lot more improved version of the all praised HammerFall, not to mention that Falconer are actually original. Thier trademark seems to be the flute sounds combined with strong guitars in a very complex and medieval themed concept. A band that will have a lot to say in the metal of teh new millenium

the album starts with strong and powerful Decadence Of Dignity, with a strong medieval air to please the ears ,and quite inspired lyrics combined with some ascendent riffs like Helloween used to deliver in the good old days. Good 8.5/10

Enter The Glade has a strong balladesque air in the lyrics, but not in the rhythm. The inspired chorus makes the best out of a great midtempo song 9/10

Lament Of A Minstrel ...a flute intro in the most 13th century style continues with a strong aggressive guitar battle. Something to put a smile on the face of every true metal fan, and if this song has a minus, it would have to be production- the vocals are a little obliterated by the guitars. too bad, cause it's a 9.75/10

For Life And Liberty. A metal hymn at its best, fast and mean, yet keeping the medieval theme and going farther,with the vocal Mathias Blad singing a little higher than usual, which doesn't hurt at all. another mellodic acoustic part continuig with aggressive guitars Great drums and fast guitars 8.5/10

We Sold Our Homesteads for a change, the guys make a rythmic intro with a mellodic vocal line that proves to be as inspired as can be...and guess what?it's a ballad, but not a common one, and again the flutes make an impressive appearace, well combined with strong fast guitars 9/10

The Clarion Call a strong song, gathering fast riffs with inspired vocals, a metal anthem at its best, a flying chorus combined with amazing rhythm breaks, and when you thought it doesn't get better than this, there you have a flowing guitar solo 10/10

Portals Of Light another ballad and a good on, keeping the strong guitars and mellodic keyboards, with a tender voice line, backed by a sensitive solo.The final chorus is one of the best I have ever heard 9.5/10

Stand In Veneration another strong and very rhythmed piece of grace with inspired lyrics, starting with another lyric intro, that turns into a real metal anthem, being backed with strong cut earsplitting riffs.The chorus is inspired and powerfilling, indeed a metal gem 9/10

Busted To The Floor a slightly lighter song, with an optimistic tone, whose strong point is the moving chorus. Now there is metal to make one move and hum along. The guitars have lost some of the aggressivity to gain a lighter more clear tone, and what can i say...it is worthy to be listened again and again, and I am actually listening to it for the 10th time today 9.5/10

The album is also supposed to have a japanese bonus track, but that i did not get...so I cannot comment on it

by Simona, August 1st, 2002