Falconer - Falconer

Year of Release: 2001
Label: Metal Blade
Catalog Number: 3984-14355-2
Format: CD
Total Time: 55:24:00

This is the debut disc by Swedish power metal act Falconer and it's a mixed CD it is that is presented.

Falconer play riff dominant power metal with a not-so-typical power metal vocalist. Musically, the band includes many Celtic & folk elements that, I may misconstrue, could be termed Nordic-metal. Or Viking-metal perhaps? Still, the band perform with aplomb with a torrent of guitar heavy nuances that affiliate themselves more with US power metal bands than those of Europe. Lyrically, the band delve into conforming, yet intelligent, power metal lines that border themselves between originality and the traditional swords & sorcery images with tracks like "Royal Galley," "Upon The Grave Of Guilt," and "Entering Eternity." That said, "Lord Of The Blacksmiths" shows clearly their roots. What makes this band stand out is vocalist Matthias Blad. Even after so many listens I'm still not sure whether he is the strongest link or the weakest link in this band. Either way, he is very different and in no way clich?d, as with many power metal bands out there. With no discernable accent, he has more in common with Brian Soulard (ex-Eidolon) than any other.

It may seem as if I'm sitting on the fence, but I do like this disc, quite a bit in fact. But it just seems to repeat itself and by the end of the CD it doesn't have the added attraction to keep me coming back for more - even with standout tracks such as "Heresy In Disguise," "Mind Traveller," and "Substitutional World." Trivia buffs will note the resemblance in artwork between the two bands (Falconer and Eidolon) as they are both done by Jan Meininghaus.

So, will it satisfy? Yes. Is it generic? No. Is it original? To an extent, yes it is. It's quite good in fact. But is it good enough?

[This review originally appeared November 2002 at the ProgPower Online review site -ed.]
Tracklisting:
Upon The Grave Of Guilt (4:57) / Heresy In Disguise (5:19) / Wings Of Serenity (5:00) / A Quest For The Crown (4:14) / Mindtraveller (5:45) / Entering Eternity (5:14) / Royal Galley (4:16) / Substitutional World (7:42) / Lord Of The Blacksmiths (4:43) / The Past Still Lives On (4:34)

Musicians:
Stefan Weinerhall - guitars, bass
Karsten Larsson - drums and percussion
Mathias Blad - vocals, keyboards and backing vocals

Guests:

Ulrika Olausson - backing vocals

Discography:
Falconer (2001)
Chapters From Vale Forlorn (2002)
The Sceptre Of Deception (2003)
Grime Vs Grandeur (2005)
Northwind (2006)

Genre: Progressive-Power Metal

Origin SE

Added: December 18th 2004
Reviewer: Gary Carson
Score:
Artist website: www.falconermusic.com
Hits: 3307
Language: english