Gladenfold
Time Of Departure
6.7
Finland's Gladenfold return with their second self-released EP of speedy 'n' folky epic metal, somewhere between Heidevolk heft and Finntroll bounce. The production is a step up from 2006's In Somno EP, which was respectable in its own right but lacking sonically, although Departure is far from perfect. (It still feels a bit muffled and the snare rings a bit hollow.) Regardless, the band’s well-above-average sense of musical dynamics and songwriting thankfully remains intact. Like many of their Finnish brethren, Gladenfold are happy-metal, bouncy and crisp, melodic and cheerful, epic and triumphant.
Time Of Departure is nothing outside the norm for the style—female vocals, acoustic interludes, melodic leads, progressive flourishes, bouncy rhythms… There’s an emphasis not just on death vocals and blackened screeches—cleaner tones, both male and female, are prominent alongside the snarling rasp and Viking growl. The riffing is solid; the arrangements and performances are complex and impressive, if not breathtaking. Where Gladenfold succeed is not in innovation or perfection but simply in enthusiasm, of which they possess more than enough to keep my interest through five songs.
I can’t honestly say that this is the kind of demo that you should track down immediately, but I can say that it’s the kind of demo that should get the band to the next step, should get them noticed by the appropriate labels, touring partners and such to advance their career. In short, they’re ready for bigger things. Fans of the likes of Turisas take note.
Related
GladenfoldIn Somno
10/19/2006