Customer Reviews

Chapters From a Vale Forlorn

5 star:		(7)
4 star:		(4)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Scandinavian origins, a medieval name, and songs born of too many Dungeons & Dragons sessions could easily - and often do - add up to one mediocre metal band. But Swedish power metal outfit Falconer have enough tricks up their sleeve to set them apart.

Firstly, there's bandleader/guitarist Stefan Weinerhall. Weinerhall is blessed with a tremendous ear for melody and a passion for traditional European, and especially Celtic, folk music, imbuing Falconer's music with an appropriately epic medieval quality and giving them a tuneful edge over their contemporaries. But perhaps just as important to the delivery of the music itself is vocalist Mathias Blad. Going in for neither the incomprehensible grunting nor the shrill yowling of many heavy metal vocalists, Blad opts instead for a powerful, dramatic baritone that wouldn't sound out of place in a Broadway production, a circumstance born of his career as a professional actor in Swedish musical theatre.

The title of the band's second album, CHAPTERS FROM A VALE FORLORN, offers an apt description of the music within. With titles like "Decadence of Dignity" and "Enter the Glade", each song reads like a chapter in some grand medieval saga. Some of the highlights include the recorder-tinged "Lament of a Minstrel", the Tolkienesquely verbose "Stand in Veneration", and "The Clarion Call", a triumphant epic that makes you want to take up arms and answer the titular summons, all graced with gorgeous melodies and soaring leads. And emotions run highest on the heavenly (literally) ballad "Portals of Light", which portrays the plight of a lover whose loved one has passed on. As elsewhere on this record, the lyrics are overwrought and more than a little ham-fisted, but the majestic music and passionate vocals speak louder.

To call CHAPTERS FROM A VALE FORLORN silly or overdramatic is rather to miss the point. For while the album and Falconer themselves are all of these things, they do not simply indulge the conventions and stereotypes of power metal; they wholeheartedly embrace them and, in doing so, transcend them. And they make some great noise while they're at it.

I am new to the genre of power metal. I'm more of a Cannibal Corpse kind of gal. However, when I heard that voice, I couldn't get enough of it. This guy can really sing! A lot of bands try too hard to sound like opera stars, but Falconer has serious vocal talent. I don't have the know-how to break down the music and really give you a detailed review of this album. But I can tell you that the album has standard renaissance rhythms that I found very enjoyable and even infectious. I just wanted to inform everybody out there that no matter what your metal taste, if you have an ear for quality vocals, you need to listen to this album.

In 2000-2001, this power/melodic metal group, Falconer, released their self-titled debut. Filled to the brim with fast guitars and bass, pounding drums and outstanding vocals, the album was a taste of musical perfection. Now, in 2002, Falconer has served up another shot of their infectious tunes and hooks but this time, they have a few surprises.

The line-up is the same as the first. Stefan Weinerhall resides over guitars and bass and continues doing everything he did on the previous album. Drummer Karsten Larsson lays down spectacular drum tracks that are filled with more energy than the first and compliment the music extremely well. And again, in the front is Mathias Blad, singing each song beautifully with more range than before.

The album starts off hard with Decadence Of Dignity, much like how their debut began with Upon The Grave Of Guilt. A fast song, the guitar is heavy and lashing while the drum beats could probably change the pattern of your heart beat. Enter The Glade slows the album down a bit. Much like Mindtraveller, the guitar is nice and thick, the drumming is good, especially on the choruses and the vocals are quite powerful. Lament Of A Minstrel is kind of a curveball. It starts off with a soft flute-sounding keyboard and then proceeds into a slow yet heavy song. The lyrics are interesting and the vocals shine. The guitar is pretty cool and interesting, since most fans are used to hearing the band play faster. For Life And Liberty picks up with the heaviness and speed again. This is one of the songs that demonstrate Blad's vocal range and ability. The guitar is fast, almost in the vain of the "Iron Maiden Gallop". The drumming here is fast, furious and raw. The band throws in a second surprise for us all with We Sold Our Homesteads. Again, the song is very slow and intriguing. I enjoy the guitar immensely since it is very inspiring and different from the traditional. The second standout is Blad's vocals. His range is great and his vocals fit the mood extremely well.

The Clarion Call is another boot to the face as far as heaviness and speed goes. The guitar is just awesome. A lot of fast picking and starts and stops. The vocals are nice, as usual but the drums are the standout here. Larsson's double bass drumming is incredible (of course, he was inspired by the best, Nicko McBrain) and he stops on a dime when its called for. Now, the first two curveballs were something different but Portals of Light is something TOTALLY new. The song begins with Blad singing over a lone piano. The guitar, bass and drums enter and this turns into a slow, heavy and yet very beautiful ballad. This is the song for Blad's vocals to shine. The whole song is beautifully orchestrated and the guitar solo and general instrumentation of the band is beyond awesome. The best song on the album is right here. Stand In Veneration is almost exactly like Quest For The Crown. The guitar is identical and the rhythm of the vocals is nearly the same. There are a few difference but in most areas, the two songs are almost the same, but that doesn't make it bad at all. The guitar is fairly fast, Larsson pounds the drums with great energy and vocals are pretty good. The album comes to a close with Busted To The Floor. This song doesn't have too much speed but the song is sort of upbeat. The choruses have Blad playing tambourine and singing as awesome as usual, the guitar is a bit slower than usual while the drums set a more upbeat rhythm to the song. A good closing song.

On their follow-up to their self-titled debut, Falconer have followed the formula that made their first album so great while throwing in some new tricks that they've picked up over the past year or so. If you liked the first album, I definitely recommend you pick up this album. This album is just as good, if not better, than its predecessor. Fans of power/melodic metal would be pleased as well and maybe even fans of the general metal scene. Pick it up today.

This band was everything I could look for in a metal band. Great guitar skills, excellent drummer, and a magnificent singer. I completely lost it when I heard their debut album from a friend. I HAD to get that album!

As time went on, eagerly waiting for the sophmore attempt, I saw the news it was coming out. I immediately ordered it, and because I'm so obsessed with their music, I put in 10 bucks extra just so I can get one-day shipping!

After hearing this album for the past few months, I can confidentally say it was very well worth it. I will admit, however, that it suprised me compared to their debut. The best comparison I can give is it's what Metallica's "Ride the Lightning" was to "Kill 'em All". Debut being very edgy and in your face. The 2nd being very intense, but with a little more of a progressive sound.

Don't let this fool you in disappointment. The first song is what I expected of a Falconer intro. One song that really caught me offguard was "Portals of Light". The intro is just piano and soon Mathias' vocals come in with complete sorrow. IT tells the story of losing the love of one's life. What makes it better is that it's dramatically emotional, not Staind or the like whiny emotional. True musician passion. It gave me goosebumps when I first heard it.

If you don't feel too comfortable about Falconer's somewhat change, but desire their sound, I'm sure you'll learn to love it. It's an awesome transition, proving their musicianship and how they can easily rule over any American metal band today.

You have to give Falconer credit for adding some new elements to the power metal genre. Rather than writing multi-part epics about dragons and knights or simply playing Helloween riffs at double-speed (that's right Rhapsody and DragonForce, you've been called out!), Falconer actually slows things down a bit, experimenting with melodies and incorporating folk elements into the traditional power metal style. They don't take it to the Jethro Tull-loving extent that Skyclad does, but they've definitely managed to set themselves apart from the pack with their unique style.

I'm one of the few who actually enjoyed their second album - 2002's Chapters From a Vale Forlorn - more than their self-titled debut. It's a lot more polished and professional, and the songwriting is greatly improved. Theatrical vocalist Matthias Blad seems a lot more comfortable in a metal role this time around, and as a result his performance sounds a lot more confident and dynamic. It's a shame he and the band parted ways after this album was released, because it was his steady voice that really made the melodies and folk aspects of the music work. The only thing this album is lacking is some violin and flute action, a la Elvenking on Heathenreel.

I'd recommend Falconer to any power metal fan that is looking for something different from the countless Gamma Ray/Rhapsody-type bands out there. Those bands have their place of course, but Falconer really is a breath of fresh air.

I have to disagree with most of the reviews on Falconer's 2nd.
The cd just doesn't cut it. The debut is much better in all
areas. The songs on Chapters.. are just not as memorable as those on the first release. The only exception is the opening track, which is quite good, but after that the album just falls flat. I love power-metal and Falconer is one of those bands that
are unique, but if you want their best, get the debut, you won't
be disappointed like I was with this one.

Not as good as their first album but it's still decent, there are a few boring parts though. Mathias Blad voice is still great as it was on the self title. I give this a 3.5 out of 5, this is not a great album but it has it's moments.

After listening to this CD for about a week, I definitely rated their 1st self titled CD to be superior. But, as I have now played this constantly for the past 2 months and also going back and listening to the 1st, I have to say that this is on par with that fantastic effort.
This CD is excellent, the guitars, the drums, the songs and especially the vocals are high quality. What a great voice this guy has, especially the fact that his voice is unique and mesmirizing.
So many bands try very hard to impress, but there is no substitute for pure natural talent. These guys are top of the pecking order, the best around.

Ok, well this is not your average power metal band. It's more like a mix between power metal and Swedish Folk music. They did a great job. Although I wish they would of done more songs in the style of Lament of a Minstrel and We sold our homesteads(a remake of a Swedish Folk song). The singer has a great voice, unfortunaly I don't think it always fits the music. There is also no blazing guitars on this album. The drumming is amazing, like all other power metal bands. The lyrics can be fairly cheesy. They are almost too serious to be a power metal band. Anyways this is a refreshing change from all the other power metal out there.

WOW ! That's all I really have to say. Don't listen to the reviewers who say that this album is not at good their debut. We have the same great vocals and melodies, with even more of a folk medieval sound.

The only down side to this album is "Busted To The Floor" with music and lyrics that don't fit the album. File this one under "FILLER". I can't really say which tracks are better than others becuase they are all great! My 2 favorites would be "The Clarion Call" and "Stand In Veneration". What awesome double bass pedalling and guitar riffs! The guitar solo in "For Life and Liberty" is awesome! "Lament of Ministrel" has a great metal riff too. This album cannot even compare with any of trash that is on the radio today; whether it's power metal or not!

Throw this bad boy in your cart and you can thank me later...:)