Armod

Album Review

Swedish power metal veterans Falconer took an interesting detour on their seventh studio album, 2011's Armod, re-engaging with their Viking metal origins composing lyrics exclusively in their native tongue for the first and, according to bandmembers, possibly only time in their decade-long career. But that one-off approach may change if there's any justice in the world and Falconer's fans embrace what is arguably one of the group's strongest, and certainly most distinctive, song sets yet. Although the basic power metal ingredients are still evident virtually throughout, Armod really benefits from the native folk melodies Falconer intertwines all over key tracks like "Svarta Änkan," "Vid Rosornas Grav," and "Fru Silfver," along with unusual violin, cello, flute, and organ parts ("Grimborg," "Eklundapolskan," etc.), and even some momentary black metal speed runs in "Griftefrid." But perhaps most importantly, these broadening horizons allow singer Mathias Blad to bring all of his theater stage experience to bear on the songs, resulting in memorably histrionic performances (see "Dimmornas Drottning," "O, Tysta Ensamhet," "Grimasch om Morgonen," "Gammal Fäbodpsalm," etc.) that may rankle some of the grim, one-dimensional metal heads out there, but unquestionably insert great flair and personality into the proceedings (as does the presence of Blad's wife Heléne on the aforementioned "Svarta Änkan," "Herr Peder Och Hans Syster," and other cuts). So now Armod's fate as inspiring or misguided anomaly lies at the mercy of the heavy metal court: only time will tell on which side of that fine line the gavel of public consensus will fall. But from a purely artistic standpoint, Falconer have every reason to be proud of this honest, intriguing, and daring work.