Folkodia is, with Folkearth, one of those international hordes of Viking oriented musicians. This band is counting on board as many as fourteen musicians that hail from eight countries, including Germany, Australia, France, Monaco and Switzerland.
Following on Folkearth's path, Folkodia is now releasing a more folk oriented and un-plugged album. With some personal changes, notably in the female vocals department, Forgotten Lore is a sweet opus to listen from beginning to end. Two ladies from Monaco, Anais and Adelaide Allard, have both pleasant voices that go well with the musical direction of this disc. The male counterparts have the manly tones that are more than appropriate to translate the Viking story- telling. There are no electric instruments, not even a bass here. On the other hand, the acoustic guitars, the leading instrument by the way, is plugged in. Personally, I prefer the purely acoustic tones over the more synthetic ones of the connected guitar, and a microphone would have been preferable. Instead of a bass, a cello was the chosen instrument; a much melodious choice as far as I'm concerned. You do have some percussion on most of the songs. Those include: gong, bells, tom toms and the likes; none are overwhelming. Then you have a variety of flutes, thin whistles and so on to complete the folksy environment. All the compositions are well played and reflect the Viking lifestyle in a relaxing fashion. Not one single tune is slightly bad and this disc goes by very nicely. My overall favorite is called: "Sword in Hand". Of course, lots of acoustic tonalities (leads and riffs) are present on this one.
I can only hope for more of this folk oriented music from Folkodia; hopefully with acoustic through a mic next time.
Track listing:
1- Ancient Forests of Elves
2- Bound for Valhalla
3- The Capitulation of Vercingetorix I
4- The Fierce Kiss of Death
5- Honored and the Fallen
6- Winter Night
7- Thus a Viking Dies
8- The Immortals of Thule
9- Sword in Hand
10- The Lone Warrior
11- The Capitulations of Vercingetorix II
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