ELVENKING
Secrets Of The Magick Grimiore
4/5
Elvenking have been known for decades of folk-influenced power metal, but that seems to mutate a little bit with this latest opus. Why? The disc actually features some heavier riffing, breakdowns and even harsh vocals in areas. Now before you jump to conclusions, don’t think that these guys are going the extreme metal route and you’re getting some kind of bludgeoning mixture of death and power metal. I’ll just make it simple and say that they’re offering something a little bit different than the norm in this scene. You’re still getting a hefty helping of heavily melodic and overly bombastic power metal tunes like opener “Invoking The Woodland Spirit” showcases – that’s got to be a Blind Guardian A Night At The Opera tribute if I’ve ever heard one – though very early on in the album we have harsh vocals; which in all honesty start appearing in the background starting with the disc’s second track, “Draugen’s Maelstrom.” As a matter of fact, Angus Norder (Witchery, Nekrokraft) appears as a harsh vocalist on four of the twelve songs here! Although this news might excite some non-power metal fans, it is important to note that the formula Elvenking fans remember has not ultimately changed. Elvenking still sounds like Elvenking and this is not their attempt at Thy Folk Is Murder.
“The One We Shall Follow” and “The Horned Ghost and The Sorcerer” manage to nail said formula perfectly, with the latter cut a piece of veritable ear-candy. “A Grain Of Truth” brings back the harsh vocals, but also incorporates a female vocal as well as an unexpected approach to their formula in the form of more groove and a rocking solo. Even if Elvenking have offered solos before, this one felt a bit unique for them. The whole cut reminded me a little of a more contemporary cut from Kamelot’s The Black Halo. Some parts even remind me of Dark Tranquility which might really cause this album to be a standout. Throughout the rest of the disc, we’re treated to slight moments of differentiation aside from the usual “power metal meets folk instrumentation/orchestra with occasional choirs” shtick that has been working for them and their peers for several years. I doubt that even the strictest Elvenking purists will take an issue with this and they’re all performed to the band’s highest standards. This album sounds like a great deal of work and money was put into it, so you can expect both a high-grade sound quality and an enlightening performance. Plus, the bonus cuts on the limited edition consist of four tracks that were previously only released on Japanese versions of the band’s previous albums and a rare unreleased cut from ’08 entitled “Skyward” so you might want to get that in order to complete your Elvenking collection.
Finally, the album’s closing number “At The Court Of The Wild Hunt” also features an unexpected guest in that of Snowy Shaw (Dream Evil, Memento Mori, ex-Therion) who might feel a bit out of place for the number, as do it’s closing breakdowns. Oh yes, those are clearly breakdown riffs. It might be a bit crunchier than you’d expect, but the track still maintains the bombast that Elvenking fans should expect. Without question, Secrets Of The Magick Grimiore is a wonderfully deep and ambitious record which attempts a few new things but doesn’t shy away from what it is at it’s source and for that, we’re thankful. (The Grim Lord)