REVIEW OF THE EP LAND OF OLD BY ELDERTALE

Eldertale is a melodic folk metal band from Ukraine formed in 2005 but being more active since 2012, releasing their first EP in June 2014, they deliver a pure folk pagan metal, adding some neoclassical drippings and powerful moments, creating in general rich structures in terms of composition as melodic instrumentals and growling vocals are the common strategy for this headbanging EP.

The band break the ice with Exile, as the choirs mark the powerful entry of complex drumbeats and melodic background with an excellent composition on the verses, really intense and good crescendo part at the end; this track defines perfectly the band's sound.

Land of Old might be one of the best tracks of this style I've ever listened, it starts with an instrumental orchestrated melody, the composition is outstanding. Then this intense shot goes increscendo, adding army marching rhythms on drums, to literally explode in a headbanging anthem, vocals and instrumental are in perfect harmony and the transitions between changes virtuously made, the lyrics also are powerful and the melodic growling voice are the best in the EP, also remarkable rhythms on the drums with drippings of power, thrash and death metal, bass is also excellent on the solo; the perfect highlight of what this band is capable of.

Finally the EP closes with Time of ancient, mid tempo traditional folk pagan metal, as seen on the rest of the material, this track follows the path of adding melodic power metal structures, piano and orchestrated parts are, again, amazingly well composed.

Eldertale first EP got a crystal clear production, it's headbanging from start to finish, the compositions are sophisticated including catchy melodies and awesome orchestrated parts, drums should have more presence next time, but the final result is overwhelming, just can't wait for the full length!

9 / 10

Line up 

Alexander Desyatnichenko Drums

Eugene Belozertsev Guitars, balalaika

Josh O.Berg Keyboards, choirs

Kirya Vocals, guitars, bass, choirs

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Post by Daniel Ortiz from Metalheads Union and Metalheads Union FB

REVIEW OF THE ALBUM SUNSET ON THE GOLDEN AGE BY ALESTORM + TOURDATES

Alestorm is a Scottish power folk metal band formed in 2004 under the name of Battleheart, changing the name after signing with Napalm Records in 2007 releasing four albums, the last one Sunset on the golden age, was out last 1st of August 2014.

In this full length Alestorm develops their usual drink and pirate adventures themes with an epic folk power metal structure, well called pirate metal, following the steps of the masters of the genre Running Wild.

Walk the plank opens the act introducing orchestrated backgrounds in a mid tempo pulse of pure heavy metal, a good point of entry that unveils the quality of the rest of the album, aggressive and rebel attitude with a very powerful chorus, linked with one of the most catchy tracks of the band, Drink, electrifying and headbanging pirate metal to enjoy with a beer in your hand, a drinking song that even Tankard wouldn't have done better, really effective chorus to sing along at every gig.

Magnetic north heralds a mid tempo pirate ballad taking you to another far-away frozen seas adventure, amazingly intense and headbanging at some parts at the same time, linking to 1741 The Battle of Cartagena with an original 8 bit intro that explodes in a truly epic Scottish pirate metal anthem, the chorus is catchy as always and powerful, the composition is the best of the album, taking you into the battle in a first person real time story; outstanding the representation with the cannons and the crowd.

Mead from Hell and Surf Squid Warfare develops the classic pirate metal structure combining thrash-power folk metal and accordion synths in a mid fast tempo tracks, riveting from start to finish encapsulating the true Scottish pirate metal in its essence; style also performed in Quest for ships, this time with a much better performed chorus but in the line of the previews tracks, and being connected with Wooden leg! Is when we realise how fun they can be, this song contains essentially a thrash metal structure and the most simple chorus of the band, repeated again and again in the most headbanging part of the album, all this explosion of moshpiting metal is in contrast with the pop cover Hangover, taken to metal territory and performed on the only way you can enjoy it by Alestorm, a drink song to have fun, and giving it a chance is always enjoyable!

The last in line is the tittle track, Sunset on the golden age, as a long In crescendo act including orchestrated parts creating an intense atmosphere, excellent composition to finish.

Alestorm forged an outstanding album full of adventures of pirates and alcohol, just as it should be for a true pirate metal band, the highlight tracks that encapsulate this at perfection are the battle of Cartagena, drink and quest for ships, but in general all the album tracks are high quality, catchy and headbanging.

Sunset on the golden age is clearly one of the best creations of the band ever,and the production, the composition and inspiration of this record is awesome!

8,5 / 10




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ALESTORM TOURDATES 2014


With support from Brainstorm, Crimson Shadows & Troldhaugen


12.9 - Nuremberg, DE - Rockfabrik
13.9 - Bochum, DE - Matrix
14.9 - Ludwigsburg, DE - Rockfabrik
15.9 - Pratteln, CH - Z7
16.9 - Monthey, CH - Pont Rouge
17.9 - Lyon, FR - CCO
18.9 - Paris, FR - Divan Du Monde
19.9 - Trier, DE - Exhaus
20.9 - Vosselaar, BE - Biebob
21.9 - Nijmegen, NL - Doornroosje
22.9 - Hamburg, DE - Markthalle
23.9 - Wroclaw, PL - Alibi
24.9 - Warsaw, PL - Proxima
25.9 - Krakow, PL - Fabryka
26.9 - Zlin, CZ - Masters of Rock Cafe
27.9 - Budapest, HU - Barba Negra
28.9 - Graz, AT - Explosiv
29.9 - Vienna, AT - Szene
30.9 - Zagreb, HR - Vintage Industrial
1.10 - Ljubljana, SI - Gala Hala
2.10 - Brescia, IT - Circolo Colony
3.10 - Munich, DE - Backstage
4.10 - Darmstadt, DE - Steinbruch
5.10 - Eindhoven, NL - Dynamo


With support from Lagerstein, Red Rum & Rainbowdragoneyes


8.10 - Norwich, UK - Waterfront
9.10 - Birmingham, UK - Academy 2
10.10 - Sheffield, UK - Corporation
11.10 - Southampton, UK - 1865
12.10 - Brighton, UK - Concorde 2
13.10 - Plymouth, UK - The Hub
14.10 - Liverpool, UK - Academy

15.10 - Dublin, IE - Voodoo Lounge
16.10 - Cork, IE - Cyprus Avenue
17.10 - Belfast, NI - Mandela Hall
18.10 - Aberdeen, SC - Garage
19.10 - Glasgow, SC - Arches
20.10 - Bristol, UK - Bierkeller
21.10 - Manchester, UK - Academy 2
22.10 - Exeter, UK - Lemon Grove
23.10 - Reading, UK - Sub 89
24.10 - London, UK - Electric Ballroom
25.10 - Leeds, UK - University
26.10 - Cardiff, UK - Globe


With support from Moonsorrow


26.11 - Osaka, JP - Nanba Rockets
27.11 - Tokyo, JP - Club Duo Exchange


PROMOTION BY NAPALM RECORDS



Post by Daniel Ortiz from Metalheads Union and Metalheads Union FB

REVIEW ALBUM "OF STONES AND STARS" BY CALADMOR

Caladmor is an epic folk metal band from Switzerland formed in 2001 (under the name Pale) and releasing their first album in 2010 called Midwinter and finally this album "Of stones and stars" released in 2013 with the support of Chrigel Glanzmann (Eluveitie) and Joel Gilardini (The land of the snow, Mulo Muto).

The album starts with The curse of the gods as a fast track of sharp guitars that take you to the folk metal world with added dose of epic style which will be the winning strategy of this band, full powerful chorus and great harmony on the vocals, developing a clear contrast between the growling harsh aggressive side with Maede and operistic soprano Babs singing folk poetry, as it  continues with The Raid as a mid-tempo shot with forceful headbanging rhythm that changes between the dark and lights, outstanding theatrical interpretation in this song,

The tittle track begins, Of stones and stars, as a slow pure folk metal taking you to a far away land when the fast guitar and drumbeats of Dawn of the deceiver break the spell and bring you to the mosh pit with one of the most thrashing style rhythms of the album mixed with modern metal influenced chorus, excellent instrumental, guitars do a positive job, as the flutes and pipes virtuous give the folk sign on this track.

Alvissmal begins with doom intro as the slow folk rhythms create the atmosphere again in one of the best chorus in the album, when the acoustic guitars of Laudine's lament change the tune as a lyrical operistic track, very well composed as the electric guitars and strong drums are in-crescendo during the song; outstanding voice in every aspect, developing multiple techniques of singing styles.

The dark riffs make the contrast with Mimir's born with a headbanging mid-temp

o apocalyptic feeling track to continue with another masterpiece, Nymph's Lure, one of the most intense bombs with a great act by the two vocalists making the perfect theatrical section of the Swiss band.

But this is not finished yet, Heralds of doom takes you to the battle with a full epic folk metal shot, marvellous chorus and  including orchestrated background and headbanging action that will keep your fist in the air, epic track that brings you to the Taberna Trollis, mid-fast tempo track with the most catchy chorus to sing along in the gigs, pint of beer in hand! Enjoyable from start to finish with the last track of the album, Helios sky , being like an epitaph orchestrated ending of sophisticated chorus with multiple vocals mixed in a harmonious canon  that shades to the final silence.

Caladmor really are very experienced in what they do, and they demonstrated they can create a masterpiece of pure Folk metal combined with medieval epic metal with refined orchestral structure album, good production also.
Of stones and stars is the work that will take Caladmor to the leading bands in the world of Folk metal scene, every member of the band work in perfect harmony and I have to remark the excellent quality of the two vocals, the interpretation of the themes are really impressive, excellent job.

9 / 10 




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