ALBUM REVIEW: ELUVEITIE "ORGINS"

7/10

ELUVEITIE

ORGINS

NUCLEAR BLAST ENTERTAINMENT
Reviewed by Burley

Swiss folk metallers ELUVEITIE has been one of the hardest working bands since forming back in 2002. Aggressive, worldwide touring paid off for them earlier this year when they won “Best Live Band” and became the first metal band ever to receive an award at the Swiss Music Awards. Their critically acclaimed 2012 album "Helvetios"  charted in multiple countries, so I was pretty excited to review their new album “Origins”.

Lyrically “Origins” is based around Celtic mythology, as one might expect. Musically, ELUVEITIE has not flown far from the nest. It's still in the style of melodic death metal with traditional folk instruments.

I realize male vocalist Chrigel Glanzmann is the mastermind behind the whole ELUVEITIE project, but I like the songs where female singer Anna Murphy is heavily featured the best. My favorite moments of ELUVEITIE have grown to be the songs where Glanzmann and Murphy work off each other vocally, with Murphy having more of the lead like on 2012's “A Rose For Epona”. She isn't present very often on “Origins” which bums me out, but when she is, this album really shines. Maybe I'm just growing weary of growling vocals. It seems every record we get in to review has this vocal style so it's nice to hear a melodic voice in here. It's a great album, but I wanted much more Murphy.

Essential Track: “The Call of the Mountains” [WATCH THE VIDEO BELOW]

ALBUM REVIEW: HAMMERFALL "(R)EVOLUTION"

7/10

HAMMERFALL

(R)EVOLUTION

NUCLEAR BLAST ENTERTAINMENT
Reviewed by Burley

Sweden's Hammerfall return with their first album since 2011's “Infected” and what a return it is! Track number one is the epic, uptempo “Hector's Hymn” will likely forever be in their live set. This is one of, if not the best Hammerfall track I've ever heard. This track alone will get the band booked at every one of those European festivals next year.

For those readers who've never heard Hammerfall, the best I can describe it is a mix of classic traditional metal and power metal. Think Saxon blended with Manowar. They deliver songs with big melodic choruses and lots of warrior testosterone. This can be heard on many of the songs including two other stand-out tracks “Bushido” & “Live Life Loud”.

I felt the first half of the album was stronger than the second, but Hammerfall have certainly come back with a solid release. Battle on!

Essential track: “Hector's Hymn”

Out August 29th! Watch Hammerfall in the studio making "(r)Evolution" below.