Flag Waiving and Folk Metal Tales

 Symphonic Metal Rocks My World: 

Let Some Folk Metal take you on a Journey

songs 92-94   I HAVE RETURNED

  As I research my back links into a cohesive timeline, one that tells the story of how I arrived to this point in time in which I chronicle my journey of discovery through the sub genres of metal, I do on occasion come across a stumbling block. I had taken a 4 month break from writing my blog, mostly to spend more time researching and falling in love with newer material. But another reason why I took the time off was because the songs that fall next into my timeline weren't songs that really were in playlists anymore. The main reason is rarity, some songs disappear from resources like youtube and even some bands become stagnant on last.fm. So I had a little restructuring to do to my list, and even strengthen the list for my upcoming year. So my list will continue to become even better. I do promise that after song 100 I will continually bring outstanding songs to share.
  Now approaching songs 92-94, I discovered a large amount of Folk Metal in my lists, mostly due to the fact I had buried myself deep into researching Metal from Finland, and keeping bands like Enisferum and Elluvietie in my listings, and even on my Pandora Player, I kept bumping into very notable Folk Metal entries. Folk metal takes you on a journey to other worlds, just as Gothic and Symphonic Metal do. The main difference is there is regionalism attached to it. In some cases, the regionalism is fiction. If a band sings about conquering worlds on the high seas, there is very little chance the band are actually viking nomads, who play in a metal band just for kicks. Or if a band seems a little obsessed with the world of Tolkien, and write about Orcs, Faeries and Elves, its not that the band comes from a land where these things exist. But through listening and immersing yourself into the bands' mythos and folk-stories, you in turn become a part of it and can attach yourself to, as if a member of, this regional tribe.
  The next 3 songs are illustrations of that, and work for me in this sense. There is plenty of Metal bands I dont get into, there are plenty that for me, just rehash whats been done. I do try my best to focus on bands that truly take on the position of a band that does things the way they want to, with a sense of originality and true-ness. I feel my selections, song by song, are examples of excellence, no matter how well known, or unknown the band is.
  So lets hoist up our flags, our spears, and keep hold tight of our women and drink, for we are about to embark on a journey, one filled with the unknown, as we cast aside our fear, as we rise above our tears, as we chase the wind, we shall claim that which awaits us. The Riches of Treasure, The Spoils of Victory and Epic WIN!


Battlelore - Doombound (Finland, Power Metal, Symphonic Folk 2011)
   No surprise that some of my favorite Folk Metal comes from Finland... Battlelore is one of those great examples of bands that I like simply on the fact that they are unique in their approach, or what I see and can feel as conscience intent. They truly try to bring about a world to you as if it actually exists, being that all of Battlelore’s lyrics specifically revolve around people and events in J.R.R. Tolkien’s Middle-earth. For most fantasy and sci-fi lovers its an appeal that is self-contained.
  This is the title song from their 2011 release. It contains a slow, doomy progression with symphonic transitions and a mellow break down. A mixture of Male Growls (Tomi Mykkanen) and the nearly ethereal vocals of Kaisa Jouhki. They have toyed around with the line-up a few times, most Battlelore fans consider this the best one. The folk melodies run throughout and dont ever dominate the pace. Keeping their unique ambiance intact. After having this and some older songs from them in my playlist, this one - though at first listen is a bit mild, is actually well conceived and does give that feeling of embarking on an adventure. Question, does anyone have a broadsword?


Crimfall - The Writ of The Sword (Finland, Symphonic Folk / Viking 2011)
   Speaking of swords.... Coming again from Finland, and another title track, Crimfall falls into the category of Viking Metal with only a select few, mixing Folk Metal sections with Symphonic choruses, led by the clear vocals of Helena Haaparanta, a touch of Power Metal and probably some blood. This song definitely goes through these paces, complete with some deathly howls in the background.
  As for the musical folk sections, I hear some Amorphis influence as they alternate melodies between a variety of instruments. Another song i like from them, Son of North, also from the same release (The Writ of the Sword) There is alot of layers going on here, some straight passages also to help as breaks from all that is being thrown at you. But it is the sections with the different instruments that stand out for me, where the Folk melodies come into play, and doing so again, in a manner not like Ive heard from most of the Folk Metal genre.


Ancient Bards - Four Magic Elements (Italy, Symphonic/Power/Folk Metal 2010)
This Power Metal band hails from Italy and the 2010 release "The Alliance of The Kings" had given them quite a boost in popularity, as is easy to tell why. More leaning towards Power Metal, the quick paced guitars of Ancient Bards are brought very much to the forefront. The clear vocal lines of Sara Squadrani, are at times multi-layered and carry for the most part the folk-melodies. Allowing the band and those heavy guitars to rifle through. There are some folk instrumentation, this song for me was a great representation of how this band and the others above do a good job, if not better than others, of keeping their sound, their direction and intent within a general focus that doesnt seem to waive or wander. There is no head-scratching going on.
   I like the mixture of instrumentation, some foreign elements, the stop-and go breaks and how each instrument takes its turn in telling the story. As Sara's vocals climb higher, the band takes you along the conquest, with victorious horns and and a recalling melody breakdown starting at the center 2:34 point. It is clear the band is composed of highly talented musicians and songwriters. A furious build up, one which you probably could slay a dragon to, before the final chorus is sung, still continues with the stop and go feel. As far as Folk Metal excellence goes, this is a bit difficult to top, specially in the more PowerMetal side so its safe to have Ancient Bards at the ready, in case you would need Fire, Flames and Brimstone to defeat some Ancient Barbarians.

Next Update: New Emerging Female Voices

Mixing It Up

Gothic Metal, Symphonic Metal, Doom and Jazz?

Songs 89-91

Open blender.
Insert:Gothic Metal, Symphonic Metal, Jazz Fusion Metal, Experimental, Doom, Thrash.
Close blender.
Puree.
Serve chilled because its about to get hot in here.

  One of the greatest aspects about Metal as a whole is how extraordinarily pliable and without boundaries it is. At its very core is a basic foundation, one that is not as rigid as one might think considering the 'heaviness' of the music. As much as some fans try to limit its definitions, it seems metal springs back stronger, more fulfilled, more evolved. The variance that exists within this now extremely wide net we refer to as All of Metal is continually expanding, experimenting and even spawning. Generations and Second and Third waves of different genres now exist and  its all getting rather confusing to classify. Some of the border lines are blurred. That is OK because its up to the artist's creativity, their vision and what they feel inside that we listen to. They, as pioneers dont go by the book. A book of definition seems illogical to be applicable in any way to something that is felt within.
 It is a badge of pride, an insignia we as metal fans wear on our sleeve. Its the truth that those outside of our brethren do not view a percentage of the reality because the majority is so underground. Its the unique handshake we share with each other. Its the fact that we know they don't get it. The fact is simple. We were not supposed to be here. This all was supposed to go away. The music was considered suitable only for a trash bin and more and more people thought it was just a recycled circle that would find its' end quickly. Makes me realize more and more how the originators of Heavy Metal were pioneers in that they felt the trueness of the limitless the music.
  My next set of 3 songs are great examples of artists not conforming to textbook definitions. Heavy Metal has experienced a huge growth period of experimentation. A lot of Hybridization. A lot of it doesnt work for me. I feel its more interesting when the fans themselves dont agree on what they are listening to. Its a different thing than a band that just tries to be Thrash and Industrial at once. How about a band like After Forever? Are they Gothic Metal or Progressive? They certainly are Symphonic.. or The Gathering, well question marks abound. Hopefully you will enjoy the examples below of bands I think mix things up, and do it well.

 
Octavia Sperati - Without Air: After (Norway, 2005 Gothic Metal, Doom)
  I recommend listening to this one and the link below back to back. Octavia Sperati only recorded 2 albums when their sultry-voiced lead singer, Silje took upon the vocal role of the iconic band The Gathering. This is from their first release and its a pleasurable experience of deep, dark brooding doomish metal guitar riffs and plow-driving drumwork, all interlaced with etheral and almost haunting piano lines as Silje, equally hauntingly belts out each line. Mixing up the the lines of what is Gothic Metal and what is Doom Metal and what is acceptable for what was then, an all-female band. Placing the atmosphere always at the forefront allows me to classify them as Gothic Metal. Placing heavy effects on an otherwise pure sounding vocal, allowing for heavy drums to pound away as the piano plays on, are all evident moments of a band fully capable of doing things differently.


Octavia Sperati - Below Zero  (Norway, 2005 Gothic Metal, Doom)
  Each time I find a song I love from O.S., it seems to have the following qualities: A driving beat, a great bass line, tons of atmosphere and great melody. Well here is another one that qualifies. The simple jungle-esque drum intro is no indication of how far the band is willing to go to do things differently. Each verse expands upon different ideas, like a progressive band would. Each phrase seems to have a haunting quality like a Gothic band would. There are soft moments, there is a startling vocal melody.
  Makes you wonder why cant every band do this? Why arent even my favorite bands this creative? The answer is they should be, you just need to be willing to find those that are capable of mixing it up.



To-Mera - Blood (London, Progressive Fusion Metal 2008)
 Did I mention something about mixing it up? From London this unit is a full-on progressive Fusion Metal band. There are only a handful of bands which share this approach. The main reason is its so hard to make this sound metal enough and still blow minds.There is a musical lesson in here about each 20 seconds. Stop and Go syncopation, long count time signatures, time changes, modulating melodies. Its a war with the rules of musicality and what is physically possible. This is so far beyond and away from what people who criticized early forms of metal as being benign and doomed to fade away. At 3:30 the song takes an inter-dimensional trip as keyboard and guitars harmonize a huge long passage, and thats the guitar solo. As we discover, there is so much more going on with each listen. You may miss how beautiful her vocals are - the melodic sections after the choruses are spectacular moments.
  Other songs from this band truly mix jazz elements into the arrangements and breakdowns. Very worth checking out.

As I approach song 100 make sure you see my next update: Shining Proud and Flag Waving.

Female Voices Leave a Mark

Symphonic Metal - Female Fronted Metal

Womens' Voices' Leave a Mark

songs 86-88

   Falling in love with a genre allows you to search out new artists as well as explore back-catalogs to more veteran acts. As Ive discovered new bands, Ive also discovered what made some of the more classic artists so special. At times I feel some of the older-tiered bands from Symphonic Metal not only get over-looked but get passed over. Nightwish, is one of those bands for me which some fans clamor longingly to their classic sound, but do so without allowing for the newer brands to permeate their lists. Reversely, some fans of much more recent bands such as Evanescence, just about refuse to recognize, acknowledge or embrace older bands which were of main influences. I pick on these 2 bands mostly because of their fanbase which seemingly have blinders on their ears, being stagnant in both their fanatic timelines as center-points, and their inability to accept new/old material.
  As Ive discovered so much in my Endless Search, and I approach the milestone of 100 entries, I am including 3 songs here which grew on me and also left an indelible mark on my viewpoint. How simple it would be and yet blatantly obvious to include artists/bands that were cornerstones in the world of Symphonic Metal. I've only chosen though, songs I can approve of, songs I've check-marked, and enjoyed countless of times. Which is why, here at this point in my Timeline that these 3 make sense to me to include. It may be a no-brainer to some. Its not that I didn't encounter these songs much earlier in my search (which has gone back now for me well over a 2/3 year period) its just a plain fact that it took a while for these songs to sink in. I've mentioned before I write this blog as if I am sharing these songs to you, for the first time. In my continued effort to make this listing a true chronicle of my experience, I allow these songs to have their true fair moment, and perhaps raise your awareness to them, or maybe given a chance, fall in love with them equally as I have. They do deserve it, as do you.



The Gathering - Eleanor (Alt-Metal Ambient/Atmospheric, NL 1995)
   Maybe one of the biggest and most influential of the hits off of the epic Mandylion, Eleanor is a timeless classic. Unlike the more straight forward approach songs like Strange Machines or Leaves, it is not as instantly memorable. It is not as dramatic of a statement as those songs, where Anneke's vocals simply stuns the listener with her full power delivery on display. This is alot more subdued, and alot more like what The Gathering would quickly become, with more atmosphere and emphasis on progression, on melody and timing. Back in 1995, that was unheard of, and unfortunately, it is also what mostly kept them under the radar of fans into the more metal side of things. Like me. Even as I began to fall in love with Anneke's angelic vocals (see previous posting: Anneke) this song all but evaded my attention. It came up in links, it came up in discussions, it came up on my Pandora Player. It just kept showing up and I kept on listening. Then it all clicked. I realized its a great piece of music.
   Some of the melodies in the 2 pre-choruses are such the epitome of Female Fronted Metal, that is easy to hear The Gatherings' influences on so many bands that followed. The landmark point though is the epic middle point, starting at 2:55. First, a combination of double-pedal riffs and symphonic, xylophone sounding melody that trade off. Its a section that could point as an early reference of influence. As the passage morphs, there are vocal choirs in the distance, and a stringed break before it all comes back to Anneke's trademark vocals.
   More and more, Anneke and T.G.'s position in the realm of influence on these genres is being fully realized. Its ok to say a band was influential. It takes a larger point of understanding and ideally, a scope of timelines to absorb just how influential. Mandylion was also influential within the bands' own offerings. As they continued to expand upon the doors they opened with Anneke at the mic.


Leave's Eyes - Elegy (Symphonic Metal, Norway 2005)
   So you know Theatre of Tragedy. So you know the beautiful vocalist who left them to embark on her solo career, as did others from that well-known pivotal band. So you know this song from The Vinland Saga. If you do, play it anyhow and listen to what I have to say below. If you said No to any of that before. Allow me to let you in on this obvious fact. Its a great song and it will stick to you like glue, please also click play and follow along.
   This song became a guilty pleasure of mine, I suppose since it does not feel as heavy as say, even the lightest Epica song but I became obsessed nonetheless. The soft and buttery vocals belong to Liv Kristine, formerly of ToT. The main guitar riff sounds like great huge riff that had to be scaled back to allow the soft high tones in the vocals to come through but the melody in the verses is well written, and easily picked up. But even better, is the pre-chorus and the chorus itself. Once you hear her high notes being held in the chorus, you know it took alot of belief, alot of commitment to take those notes up there. Its as if she is telling you she believes completely in the lyric, which gives some room for thought, which allows you to hear and see deeper.The sweeping violins in the moments before the break are a  great touch.
   After her release of The Vinland Saga, Liv has enjoyed a successful career. I cant say much the same for those guys in the boat.And yes, being beautiful and talented never hurts. 


Eyes of Eden - When Gods Fall (Gothic Metal, Germany 2007)
   I would've expected a follow up to this well received debut by now. Realizing that 2007 is quite some time ago is rather eye-opening and I wonder if this band knows that its been so many years ago. Anyhow, I bumped into them in 2009 with the feel that they were a new band from Germany, with great melody, riffs and an equally great vocalist. I quickly added Dancing Fire (see previous posting: 3 Addictive songs from Germany) and basically forgot about this song. It too also grew on me as I continuously kept adding it to my bookmarks, my notes and eventually placing it here, on my list on the way to song 100.
   A great vocal, and clever melody is helped along by a chugging and climbing rhythm. Almost similar in ways, to both vocalists above, being soft, clear and capable of reaching upwards, it is not as clear if the band is continuing on with another vocalist or not, but it would be a shame since she has the ability to deliver the goods.There is a heavy, almost thrashy breakdown before we dive back into the catchy chorus. The thing here is that in 2012, there are many Female Fronted Metal-inspired bands and even Gothic Metal, and alot of them do sound like this, its almost the blueprint actually. No matter what though, its the songs that are actually good that live on.

 As a blueprint the songs above seem to have left their mark on a huge majority of bands out today, which I see as a good thing.

Next Update: Mixing it up... Doom, Gloom, Melodic Death and all that Jazz....