Description
When Folkodia debuted back in 2008 with Odes To The Past, it immediately seemed an unnecessary move for the Folkearth collective to split off into a second branch considering the astronomical rate that they were already churning out albums at. The end result was surprisingly satisfactory though, and indeed was a damn site better than any of the trash the parent project inflicted on us that year. The lines have definitely blurred since then though, and while the follow-up ‘In a time of legends’ and this third album, ‘Battlecry’, don’t do too much wrong they ultimately are left feeling a little redundant. The initial premise of Folkodia, at least what I took away from the debut anyway, was that it was supposed to be a more reigned-in version of the sprawling original project with more emphasis on conciseness. But with Folkearth going in a similar direction since then and actually getting their act together somewhat recently, and with the groups now sharing even more members there barely seems to be a point in viewing them separately anymore. One thing that can be said in favour of ‘Battlecry’ is that, next to the Folkearth’s more streamlined and consistent recent albums, it packs a little more variety, with less focus on aggression and more songs that are suited to festivities as well as the obligatory battle hymns. A greater variety of folk instruments are used too (I’m sure it used to be the other way round…) and generally they are well enough implemented to avoid the dreaded trap of having the woodwind stabbing unbearably through every song. The metal side of things is generally well-represented too, with the same inspiring lead guitar playing that has given Folkearth such a boost also on display here (although to perhaps to slightly more restrained effect) and real, human-performed drums providing far more depth and variety than the programming of their earlier works.
Track listing:
1. Eagles Blood
2. Battlecry
3. Blood-Red Axes
4. The Celestial Giants
5. Hunter In The Wild
6. The Celestial Host
7. The Oath Of Runes
8. Invoking The Sidhe
9. Pale Prince On A Moonlit Shore
10. The Hour Of Wrath
11. Sword In Hand