ELUVEITIE – “HELVETIOS”
NUCLEAR BLAST (2012)
Strange as it may sound to fans of Rock and Metal music today, there was actually a time when Folk and Rock were two worlds that were literally miles apart in terms of orientation and purpose. Then came the mid-sixties and bands/artist like The Byrds and Bob Dylan who, gradually but surely, began a process of ‘reconciliation’ between the two genres – a process which continued to manifest itself in the decades to come, leading even to the creation of distinct musical genres such as Folk Rock and Folk Metal.
There are many interesting and inspiring bands, serving the latter genre, but one which I came across fairly early on is the Swiss eight-piece combo Eluveitie, currently promoting the release of their fifth studio album, “Helvetios”.
The first and only Eluveitie album I ever wrote a review for was 2008’s “Slania”, their first ever release for Nuclear Blast and one that was received warmly by both fans and press alike. Since then the band has enjoyed steady commercial growth and, although no significant changes have occurred in their song writing process and their style, a closer listen to the seventeen compositions of “Helvetios” made me realise how more mature and confident this outfit has become over the last four years.
As ever, their compositions are based upon solid riffs of the early/mid 90s Gothenburg melodic Death Metal scene, but their character and personality owes more to beautifully-crafted folk melodies that are presented through a variety of distinct instruments, such as whistles, pipes, violin and the ever so inspiring and classic hurdy gurdy! It is this interesting blend of harsh/heavy and melodic elements and the way they combine throughout the album that makes “Helvetios” such an impressive release.
The album kicks off with a hair-raising Epic narrative entitled “Prologue” and makes its impact instantly through the Dark Tranquillity-sounding up-tempo riffs of the same-titled “Helvetios”. “Luxtos” contains some beautiful female vocal renditions in the Gaulish language, while both “Home” and “Santonian Shores” are simply-crafted compositions based on heavy riffs and catchy folk melodies.
The Gaulish chant vocals and emotionally-charged orchestrations in “Scorched Earth” create a breathtaking epic atmosphere and are definitely amongst the highlights of the album, while its successors “Meet The Enemy” and “Neverland” provide moments of sheer pleasure. If I was to single out one composition from the album, that would probably be “A Rose For Epona” – a melodic and deeply emotional atmospheric composition which perfectly combines ethereal female vocals with brutal male screams and harsh head banging riffs.
The second half of the album consists of equally impressive material. “Havoc” is one of the heaviest and fastest compositions ever written by the band, “The Uprising” is another Dark-Tranquillity influenced opus featuring another epic male narrative, while catchy refrains, fiddle tunes and heavy riffs are the main characteristics of “Hope”, “The Siege”, “Alesia”, “Tullianum” and “Uxellodunon”.
The closing composition is another epic-sounding narrative entitled “Epilogue” which provides yet another inspiring moment and which cleverly connects all songs into a wider musical concept.
Eluveitie have managed to make quite a name for themselves over the years, but that has only really been achieved through constant/relentless touring and hard work in the studio.
These feisty Swiss have managed to create a style and sound whose influences are clear but which they can surely call their own and so it is not surprising that they have once again opted against too much musical experimentation.
What they have focused all their efforts on instead is making their compositions as varied, memorable and focused as the confines of their style can allow – a test that “Helvetios” has passed with flying colours.
John Stefanis
Rating: **** (4.0/5.0)
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