Folkearth - _Songs of Yore_ / _Fatherland_
(Stygian Crypt Productions, 2008)
by: Quentin Kalis (4 and 6 out of 10 respectively)
At one time, the Folkearth concept -- an international ensemble of folk metal musicians sourced from across the world -- was more than just a gimmick, creating some decent folk metal tunes, peaking with _By the Sword of My Father_. Since then they've gone steadily downhill, favouring quantity over quality, as this is their third full-length released in 2008, after _Fatherland_ and _Songs of Yore_. Production was always patchy, but now it's all bad, and not in a deliciously raw necro manner. One particularly vile clean vocalist dominates and he's atrocious, attempting to sound dramatic, and failing dismally.

_Songs of Yore_ is an acoustic work, roughly divided between new material and acoustic versions of tracks from predecessor _Father of Victory_. Unexpectedly, this one works: perhaps they had longer to ruminate on these tracks, but in many cases they are superior to the originals. The production is noticeably better too. No, wait, it isn't; the production flaws were most obvious during the distorted guitar sections and with none of that here, it sounds better by simple default. The highlight is undoubtedly the remake of "Charles Martell" consisting of just soprano and cello.

By the time you read, this, a new Folkearth album will be out, released in October 2009. This is the first -- and only -- album for 2009. One can only hope that it will restore them to their former glory and a move away from McMetal assembly lines.

Contact: http://www.folkearth.cjb.net

(article published 4/1/2010)


ALBUMS
3/25/2009 Q Kalis 7 Folkearth - Father of Victory
2/16/2008 Q Kalis 7 Folkearth - Drakkars in the Mist
2/16/2008 Q Kalis 8 Folkearth - A Nordic Poem
2/16/2008 Q Kalis 8.5 Folkearth - By the Sword of My Father
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