Falconer – Among Beggars And Thieves
1. Field Of Sorrow
2. Man Of The Hour
3. A Beggar Hero
4. Vargkaskall
5. Carnival Of Disgust
6. Mountain Men
7. Viddernas Man
8. Pale Light Of Silver Moon
9. Boiling Led
10. Dark Ages
11. Skula, Skorpa, Skalk
12. Dreams And Pyres
13. Vi Salde Vara Hemmean (Limited Edition Bonus Track)
14. Carnival Of Disgust (Video – Limuted Edition Bonus Version)
I have stuck a CD by a band called Falconer into my CD player. What, I wonder, is going to happen?....Oh no. I hear a low drone designed to create a tense atmosphere….medieval style pipes….this could only mean….that this is a fucking power metal album!! Oh no! But wait….decent riff….don’t want to be sick yet….vocals sound like the singer still has testicles….urgh horrible chorus….but yes, decent; I’ll listen to track two….oh shit wait….terrible medieval quiet breakdown….
I am afraid that is how I generally feel about power metal besides the epic Turisas, a few Blind Guardian tracks and the hilarious anthem ‘Lust For Life’ by Frenchies Heavenly. How can I possibly be expected to take it seriously? Everything about it is totally over the top, ridiculous, tacky and frankly sad. Yes, we know you’d rather be a medieval serf, but no, you’re from Scandinavia so you’ll have to settle with playing in a band where the photo shoots take place at dusk in a forest and you dress up as vaguely intimidating warriors. What would your girlfriends say if they saw you? What would your bosses say?! What would your mothers say!?!?
Prejudice aside, Among Beggars And Thieves isn’t actually that bad at all. Sure it has all the hallmarks of samey old power metal: speed, guitar wankery, silly lyrics and medieval pretensions but it’s reasonably listenable for a jaded hater such as myself. Hey, I didn’t cringe once during the whole listening time – that’s impressive! The standard of music is good and it’s all equally chantable and moshable complete with peasant ballads (see A Beggar Hero) and galloping riffs (see Mountain Men and Pale Light Of A Silver Moon). If you are a budding power metal warrior then give this album a spin, I’m sure you’ll greatly enjoy it. As for me? Let’s just say my beard is going to stay trim.
Review by Liam McLaughlin
Among Beggars And Thieves is out now on Metal Blade Records |
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