ELUVEITIE – Helvetios

ELUVEITIE – “HELVETIOS” 
Metal Church - The Present Wasteland

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)


Featured Artist: JOSH TAERK

Since early 2020 Josh has been entertaining us with exclusive monthly live sessions, streamed via Facebook.

In 2023 he signed a recording deal with Sony in Canada and released a new single on 15 September.

Josh Taerk Sunday Sessions 2024

Latest session: Sunday 25 February
Next session: Sunday 14 April

Check out videos here: https://www.facebook.com/getreadytorockradio



David Randall presents a weekly show on Get Ready to ROCK! Radio, Sundays at 22:00 GMT, repeated on Mondays and Fridays), when he invites listeners to ‘Assume The Position’. The show signposts forthcoming gigs and tours and latest additions at getreadytorock.com. First broadcast on 3 March 2024.


UK Blues Broadcaster of the Year (2020 and 2021 Finalist) Pete Feenstra presents his weekly Rock & Blues Show on Tuesday at 19:00 GMT as part of a five hour blues rock marathon “Tuesday is Bluesday at GRTR!”. The show is repeated on Wednesdays at 22:00, Fridays at 20:00). This show was first broadcast 5 March 2024.

How to Listen Live?

Click the programming image at the top of the page (top right of page if using desktop)

Listen via Windows Media Player. Click or tap here and “open file”
Listen via other media player (eg. VLC) Click or tap here and “open file”

Get Ready to ROCK! Radio is also in iTunes under Internet Radio/Classic Rock
Listen in via the Tunein app and search for “Get Ready to ROCK!” and save as favourite.

More information and links at our radio website where you can listen again to shows via the presenter pages: getreadytorockradio.com


Power Plays w/c 18 March 2024

GYPSY’S KISS We’ve Come To Play
FM Out Of The Blue (Frontiers)
SHOTGUN MISTRESS Shot Down (indie)
ATTIC THEORY Violent Delight (indie)
FLOYA Yume (FiXT)
SAHAJI Tell Me All Your Feelings (indie)

Featured Albums w/c 18 March 2024

09:00-12:00 The Best of 2003-2023
12:00-13:00 LEAVES’ EYES Myths Of Fate (AFM Records)
14:00-16:00 HOLLY LERSKI Sweet Decline (indie)


To see our Tweets you need to be logged in to a Twitter account



Popular (last 10 days)


This entry was posted in ALL POSTS, PURE METAL (All posts), Pure Metal/Album reviews. Bookmark the permalink.

Leave a Reply