FALCONER - Chapters From A Vale Forlorn

9 songs
40:43 minutes
***** ****
Metal Blade

Falconer's self titled debut was to me one of the most positive metal surprises in 2001. It's very seldom that a band is able to play traditional metal on an original base, free from any clichés. Falconer don't sound like a typical Swedish metal band like Hammerfall, although the music is very Swedish. Never before have I heard such a proper combination of metal riffs and lots of folk tunes. Regarding the success of this CD, the second one Chapters From A Vale Forlorn goes more or less in the same direction, but without the risk of being considered as a simple clone. As Falconer have the exceptional singer Mathias Blad, the clear vocals have a lead position in every song. There are of course parallels to the early Blind Guardian (especially the multi-vocals refrains), but that comparison shouldn't take any charm from this CD. It's seldom that a band has such an excellent nose for beautiful melodies. It doesn't matter if you listen to fast tracks like Enter The Glade or For Life And Liberty or to slower tunes like Lament Of A Minstrel or Portals Of Light, Falconer are always able to produce thrilling and majestic metal songs. A real pleasure to listen to such a fresh sounding metal band.
Falconer's official webpage.