After releasing an all Swedish sung album for 2011’s Armod, the folk-tinged traditional metal act Falconer return for an English record on their eighth studio recording Black Moon Rising. It appears that the quintet are firing creatively on new plains, channeling some of their darker nuances within these 11 songs.
Immediately “Locust Swarm” has this sinister black, blasting feel amidst the charging Stefan Weinerhall/ Jimmy Hedlund guitar parade, while vocalist Mathias Blad continually astounds through his epic, theatrical Ian Anderson-like word delivery. The follow up “Halls and Chambers” has this slice and dice gallop nature, thunderous drum fills from Karsten Larsson and pure twin harmony accents at the end of verses making this one of the highlights of the record. Relentless seems to be the adjective that bursts throughout – the folk parts filtered through a crushing wall of guitars and persistent high octane tempos to make the title cut and “There’s a Crow on the Barrow”
Of course there are the songs that will make you wish to traipse around in fields of fire a la how warriors must have during the Middle Ages – the best of which closes the album, “The Priory”. Falconer is a special band who collectively continue to develop their own brand of folk/power metal and never come off as insincere in their approach. Every note, every measure, every lyric, every subtle twist and turn is 100% done with determination and conviction – and that’s why they’ve been able to sustain a healthy following through the years.
I know it’s cliché to say a group’s latest studio record is their best – but in the case of Falconer, they only get stronger and wiser in their ways as they grow older. Black Moon Rising penetrates to the heart of metal – and should be a welcome addition for a variety of fans to your collection.
Matt Coe, HMS
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