I've given it (mostly the first half) a few listens and heres what I think so far.
** possible spoilers **
It is indeed a very good album. I love the songs' very medieval sound (which I though was coming back with Northwind, but wasn't quite there yet) and the lyrics are too very good. I can sense a general outline in the songs' lyrics, though I wouldn't call it a concept album.
'The field of sorrow' is a perfect opening song, very much classic Falconer, with the catchy chorus and the typical shifts of tempo. It's these fast Falconer songs I like the best, because the effect of the hard guitar and extremely fast drums make the combination with Mathias' voice so special, very good! And Mathias' perfomance on this album is outstanding, also together with the female singer - their voices fit each other well.
'Beggar hero' is a true medieval - maybe even fairetale - song with a very good melody, which really does a good job of slowing the pace down a little and preparing you for 'Vargaskall'.
'Mountain men' is a very great song, perhaps one of the best on the album?? It has some very interesting parts and challenges you through the whole song and that guitar riff - pure genious! This has to be my favourite so far. And I love Mathias' deep voice!
I'll return with more, if you want to, when I get a chance to listen to the rest.
As for the two bonus songs, I must say, that they indeed are 'bonus' and I think they fall vastly below the others songs in quality even though they're not bad at all. 'Dark Ages' I would compare to 'busted to the floor', it's a good song, but somehow missing something to make it complete (I'm one of those people who think busted to the floor should've been the bonus track). Vi sålde vora hemman we all already know and - well - even though the arrangement is quite good, I think it tends to be somewhat boring and maybe a little to synthy, of course we already all own the rock and roll version, but hey, that's just my taste.
The other swedish tracks are brilliant and I think it's very good that the band has decided to do more songs in their native tongue, it fits Falconer, their style and Mathias' voice perfectly (and if one can understand them, they may be even better).
