Man, I really can't stand voice-overs! This is too bad, since it makes a very good album like As the Path Unfold much less enjoyable. This is a way for metal labels with high commercial objectives to tell us reviewers that this way, we won't sell our promos. This is totally wrong thinking and I have no respect for such labels.
Let's now talk about a bunch of more worthy individuals, the individuals known as Crimfall, a Finnish trio that are presenting their debut album. This act is the creation of multi-instrumentalist Jakke Viitala, helped on this one by two vocalists: a female soprano by the name of Helena Haaparanta and Mikko Häkkinen on rasps. Crimfall blends harmoniously elements of epic and Folk Metal into their song structure. The reference to Nightwish is perhaps easy to do, but those Crimfall is not a copycat of that cheesy Power/Symphonic Metal band. The dual vocals are somewhat reminiscent to vintage Gothic Metal a la Tristania for instance. Of course, the folksy parts are always scoring high in my pleasure scale; especially when the organic sound of an acoustic guitar could be enjoyed. The songwriting is mature already, and the compositions quite strong, as well as varied in emotions. One moment you are into ambient passages, then some orchestrations take over. In other parts, more dramatic times with theatrical influences are present. Heavier and muscular instrumentations are being balanced out by acoustic guitars, violin, mouth harp and a flute.
As the Path Unfold is a very pleasant release of epic Folk Metal. Crimfall is definitely a band to keep an eye on. Hopefully, next time around, their work won't be messed by a guy with a strong accent, telling me a couple times per song, what I'm listening to!
Track Listing
1 - Neothera Awakening
2 - The Crown of Treason
3 - Wildfire Season
4 - Where Waning Winds Lead
5 - Sun Orphaned
6 - Ascension Pyre
7 - Shadow Hearth
8 - Non Serviam
9 - Aubade
10 - Hundred Shores Distant
11- Novembre
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