Elvenking - The Winter Wake

*=Staff's pick	Trows Kind Swallowtail* The Winter Wake (feat. Schmier of Destruction) The Wanderer March Of Fools On The Morning Dew* Devil’s Carriage Rats Are Following Rouse Your Dream Neverending Nights* Disillusion’s Reel

Genre	Heavy/Folk Metal	Damnagoras	Vocals
Tracks	11	Aydan	Guitar
Runningtime	49 Min.	-	Guitar
Label	AFM Records	Gorlan	Bass
Release	27 Jan. 2006	Zender	Drums
Country	Italy	Elyghen	Keyboards
Similar artists	Skyclad, Falconer

Italian band Elvenking return to the scene after the minor setback album Wyrd (2003) and as it seems, they do it with newborn energy and fresh ideas.

First song out is actually the least good on the album. A bit weird and with no real structure despite some good riffs. But from the second song onwards I recognise good, old Elvenking from the Heathenreel times again. Good riffing, strong choruses and distinct folk melodies. Most of the material is uptempo, melodic and driven by violin and in some songs the guitar and the violin basically have equally big roles. Many people have anticipated Damnagoras return to the band, but personally I am indifferent to the whole thing. Sure, it brings back the feeling and sound from the already classic Heathenreel but he is really not an especially good singer.

Apart from a couple of fillers (whereof Rats Are Following is a really bad one with a dreadful refrain), the material on this album is strong. The uptempo songs are very even in quality with great refrains and good, distinct melodies and most of the slower songs are this time also highly enjoyable due to great musicality. On The Morning Dew is really beautiful and is the one that stands out more then others.

The production is good and the guitars have a heavier touch and a good bite to them which brings out a more metal feeling. This is a good album and it promises good for the future.

See also review of: Secrets Of The Magick Grimoire , The Pagan Manifesto , Wyrd , Heathenreel
See also: Song By Song Commentary

Production	Vocals	Compositions
7,5	6	7,5

Summary
7,5 chalices of 10 - Tommy