Review: Falconer – Among Beggars And Thieves (2008)
Falconer, perhaps one of the most original and talented power metal bands of the 21st century, and are unquestionably at their best with vocalist Mathias Blad. The folkish power metal combined with Mathias’ uncharacteristic sweet voice that is noticably devoid of yells and shrieks like many of his operatic counterparts, provides the muscle behind some incredible riffs that are just as good slowed down in a ballad from their native Sweden, or a double bass entrenched speed metal epic. Simply put, Mathias Blad is the anti-metal metal singer singing for a metal band, and it provides some of the best experiences in the genre today. 2006’s Northwind represented a fantastic comeback for this band, and 2008’s Among Beggars and Thieves is a suitable follow up.
Northwind was unabashedly folkish at its most raw state, with some heavier tunes, but mostly a collective of ballads sung in the band’s native tongue. Among Beggars and Thieves on the other hand, while containing obligatory soft spots, is definitely a balls out power metal album with no compromise. It seems that in the last couple of years, traditional modern power metal has been laughed at, with many in the genre choosing to be referred to as progressive metal when in fact their true nature is that of a power metal band. Falconer on the other hand, is proud to strut its heavier stuff as a tried and true power metal act. You want to laugh at this band? Go for it, but you’ll look like a fool considering there are a bare few who can match the songwriting and vocal capabilities of this band, including the major power metal outfits still making solid records.
With all that said, I can’t go on without commenting on a few negative blips. Despite Falconer having an incredible ensemble of songs for this album, there are a few with relatively weak choruses (and I emphasize relative), most notably on “Man of the Hour,” which really doesn’t strike my fancy until the song kicks it up a notch during the middle section. Is this nitpicking? Perhaps, but one of this band’s strong points is its immaculate use of catchy choruses that really bring color to the term “chorus” like few others can. Finally, before my closing, I also want to mention that the songs “Pale Light of Silver Moon” and “Vargaskall” are uncharacteristically reminiscent to the moody dual guitars of Dissection in several portions including the intro to Pale Light. I find this to be very original, especially for a power metal band (although, many of the band’s founding members belonged to Mithotyn which was definitely heavier and darker than Falconer).
When purchasing your power metal albums this year, please make an effort to check this one, as well as 2006’s Northwind if you were a fan of their first two. Among Beggars and Thieves is not the best piece by Falconer, but does that really matter? This is a solid album with not one “bad” song throughout its 57 minute running time. With folk metal’s popularity on the rise in the States, its only just that us Americans give more attention to one of the genre’s best this year.
VERY GOOD
Top Tracks: Pale Light of Silver Moon, A Beggar Hero, Vargaskall, Carnival of Disgust
Similar Artists: Wintersun, Dissection, Mago de Oz, Tyr
1. Field Of Sorrow 05:35
2. Man Of The Hour 03:56
3. A Beggar Hero 02:08
4. Vargaskall 04:19
5. Carnival Of Disgust 04:04
6. Mountain Men 04:39
7. Viddernas Man 03:43
8. Pale Light Of Silver Moon 04:05
9. Boiling Led 04:58
10. Dark Ages (bonus) 03:30
11. Skula Skorpa, Skalk 03:51
12. Dreams And Pyres 07:48
13. Vi Sålde Våra Hemman (bonus) 04:30
Mathias Blad – Vocals, Keyboards
Stefan Weinerhall – Guitar, Keyboards
Jimmy Hedlund – Lead Guitar
Magnus Linhardt – Bass
Karsten Larsson – Drums
Metal Blade Records
http://www.falconermusic.com/
http://www.myspace.com/falconermusic
Review by CODY
