Battlelore - Third Immortal

[jel-bugle.livejournal.com]

These guys are from Finland, and they are totally inspired by Lord of the Rings. They are playing in London in December. This has got just about every element I love about battle/fantasy/symphonic metal - swords, elf-ish ladies, male/female vocals, crunchy rhythms and a catchy hook in the gravelly "third immortal, the lord and the servant". Their "Last Alliance" album is probably my favourite 2008 release. Okay, I can't write about music without sounding like I'm 14.

Comments

On A Similar Note...

[ijgrieve.livejournal.com]

...Here is a 'pirate metal' cover of a song you probably all remember from earlier in the year:

http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=LbRHTmVr9bQ

[piratemoggy.livejournal.com]

I feel like I *ought* to like that kind of metal but I don't. I think it's just... the riffs, such as there are, are too low in the mix. That song had a few moments where it *nearly* clicked and I was all 'oh go on then' but I've vaguely come to the conclusion that I don't like clean vocals in metal, anyway. :/ This probably all makes me a massive snob.

Excellent elven costumery, though.

Edit: No, actually, I've just realised: what I don't like about it is the keyboards. I just don't like that sort of keyboard sound in any context. :(

[jel-bugle.livejournal.com]

That Alestorm song is awesome! I voted for Latvia at the Eurovision.

Oh, I like clean vocals better than proper death metal vocals...it just sounds more harmonious. It sounds better on the album!