Two more reviews, the
first one made me laugh to be honest ;D.
Second one is
from hereExactly two years after the release of „Northwind“ have gone by and now FALCONER are on the start again with their concept album “Among Beggars And Thieves”. The title doesn’t leave a lot of room for interpretation, one prescribes oneself on the sixth album the life of beggars and thieves in Medieval Sweden. Where the Scandinavians with the previous album – and the return of singer master Mathias Blad – wanted to be in the fans’ good books, they want to continue their success story with the current one.
Now this success story seems to be tied to singer Mathias Blad since then, which has shown with the moderate success of the two albums („The Sceptre Of Deception“ und „Grime vs. Grandeur“) without his contribution. The cover as well should be worth a mentioning, was it designed another time by graphic genius Jan Meininghaus and leaves no doubt, where FALCONER wants to move.
The Falconers continue where they ended on “Northwind”: with singing guitars of the brand Weinerhall and Hedlund, with impressing rhythm work by drummer Larsson and bassist Linhardt and of course, as always, with the breathtaking voice of Blad, whose full-time job is musical-singer. Who has already experienced the guys on stage, knows that they are passionate and hungry like lions.
Reason enough to forget with the Opener „Field of Sorrow“ about a lengthy and tiring foreplay and immediately start with the main course. In familiar two-partedness the listener gets slammed with varied riffs, double-bass-attacks and in speed varying snars. No stunning, but a worthy start in promising 50 minutes FALCONER.
Especially notable is hat the quintet intensively dedicated itself to folk laden interludes – with success. Harmonic to such an extent you haven’t experienced the Falconers before, this much perfect you have never heard Blad singing. His voice moves “Among Beggars and Thieves” to unforeseen heights, provides it a matchless character and definitely contributes that the folk parts spark off and they stylistically come close to their debut more than ever. That they apart from Up-tempo-songs can be all quit and pensive, they demonstrate with „A Beggar Hero“, where Blad and an angelic female voice deliver a touching, accompanied by melodious acoustic guitars, duet. After they have paid tribute to calm minds as well, they continue with “Vargaskall” – one of two (on the Limited Edition three) tracks in Swedish language. [actually, it’s three to four]
The friends of big birds give their whole repertoire on “Boiling Led” its best. After a short introduction of acoustic and twisted six strings, it properly rumbles in the box. Because of the slightly chopped singing which is deposited by double-bass-shots and pushed forwards, the harmonic interludes and the simply brilliant licks, you are in high danger of a catchy-tune – attention! Also the taillight „Dreams and Pyres“ can’t excel this master stroke by Falconer, disappoints indeed a bit: the attempted pomposity only minimally functions (and that just because of the very forceful background-choir) and probably was mixed too quiet and therefore leaves no positive remaining impression.
What is to mentioned here as well is hat produced Andy LaRoque (Bolt Thrower, Evergrey, In Flames) otherwise did everything right and made the disc abounding with energy.
In general the disc is adhered with a slight till medium strength operatic touch which is certainly not to everybody’s taste. But with this, the negative critique was already brought forward because eventually “Among Beggars And Thieves” is until now the most consistent and impressive achievement after the surprising success of the debut album.
Mathias Blad brings out his special position as well as his being indispensable for the whole band and their success. Without a bad conscience you can recommend the purchase for friends of symphonetic Power Metal who don’t want to forego a certain rigour – two bonus tracks and the video to “Carnival of Disgust” serve as appeal to also get the Limited Edition.
Kitsch has never been as beautiful.
Rating: 9.5/10
Reviewer: Dennis Piller
