Eluveitie - Slania Review

The Folk Metal genre has been around for years, but recently it has really started to blossom and take notice. Maybe it's because most of the European Melodic Death bands have 'Americanized' their sound too much in the last few years, or maybe people just want something fun to listen to. Whatever the case, the genre is getting bigger, especially with tours like the upcoming Paganfest festival hitting North America and Europe this spring. One of the bands on that bill is Eluveitie, a band from Switzerland making they're own brand of Folk Metal by playing Melodic Death Metal and adding Folk and Celtic instruments to the mix . The band recently released their second studio album through Nuclear Blast Records entitled Slania.

Slania starts off with Samon, an intro that's actually worth listening to, which is actually pretty rare these days. A slow, heavy riff with a beautiful melody played by a fiddle, whistles and a hurdy gurdy. This gives a nice indication on whats to come, as most of the time, these instruments are in the front providing the main melody of the songs. Primordial Breath is the first real song on the album. It's heavy but midpaced. Good song but not the best opener to lead off a band's first major label release.

Inis Mona is next, and now we're talking. This should have been the first track, as it is also the first single which is a perfect choice. Catchy, upbeat and the melody makes you want to dance. Grey Sublime Archon is another killer tune, heavy riffage, a catchy melody from the hurdy gurdy, and a sung chorus.

The band excels at mixing these celtic instruments with headbanging riffs. Dark Tranquility comes to mind in the more upbeat songs like Bloodstained Ground and Tarvos. But the album's highlight comes from Slanias Song, a slower, midpaced song which mixes screams and beautiful female vocals.

The only flaw on this album is that it doesn't vary too much and after a while you feel like you've heard what they have to offer. This is probably why there are 3 interludes on the album which do their job by spacing the the tracks out nicely. I'm sure the band will improve upon this with future releases.
7/10

Standout Tracks: Inis Mona, Grey Sublime Archon, Slania's Song, Elembivos

Listen to tracks from Slania on the band's myspace page. Catch Eluveitie on the Paganfest USA Tour this spring with Ensiferum, Turisas and Tyr. Expect a review of this tour up here in late April as I will be attending the Montreal date on April 26.