If you follow a pathway into the leafy glade often trodden by the like of Skyclad but take a turn into the darker parts of the forest you'll more than likely find Elvenking sharing a barrel of mead or two around an open fire dancing with mystical creatures of all shapes and sizes......

Ok, not strictly true then, but imagine for a moment a land where Helloweenesque power metal rubbed shoulders quite happily with mandolin and violin led folk music and you've got the beginnings of a point of reference for Italy's Elvenking. Another clue is the cover of Skyclads "Penny Dreadful" which the band certainly do justice here, it's fair to say that Elvenking practice the rare art of "Folk-Metal". This is heartily welcomed in the Lewins wattle and daub hut as the band aren't afraid to offer something different to the run of the mill.

One standout feature is the use of the different vocal styles within the band giving different feels to the different tracks and using massed vocals whenever appropriate to give a chant-a-long quality to the majority of the choruses, something that's bound to go down a storm live (any chance of tickets/passes to the Ragnarok anyone???).

Highlights for me change on repeated listenings but "The Wanderer" and "March Of The Fools" deserve special mention for their memorable violin and guitar riffs and only the whimsical "On The Morning Dew" gets a thumbs down from me as its just too folky and lightweight (its very pleasant though.....)

Let us know your views on 'The Winter Wake'

Track List

Trows Kind
Swallowtail
The Winter Wake
The Wanderer
March Of Fools
On The Morning Dew
Devil's Carriage
Rats Are Following
Rouse Your Dream
Neverending Nights
Disillusion's Reel
Penny Dreadful

Line Up

Damnagoras - Vocals
Aydan - Guitars
Jarpen - Guitars
Gorlan - Bass
Zender- Drums
Elyghen - Keys/Violin