Sceptre of Deception

Falconer | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (November 4, 2003)
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Metal Blade
• ASIN: B0000D7Z66
• In-Print Editions: MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 3.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (8 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #211,751 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Falconer - The Sceptre of Deception, June 11, 2008

By 

thepaxdomini "The Book Review" (Tulsa, OK) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Sceptre of Deception (Audio CD)

"The Sceptre of Deception" (2003) is the third release from Swedish folk/power metal band Falconer. This is a concept album; all the songs have to do with a story of Falconer's own devising, and which is further explained in the liner notes.

Broadway-style singer Matthias Blad has been replaced by Kristoffer Göbel (although Blad does appear on this album). Göbel's voice is vaguely similar, although he sings much more in the metal tradition.

Musically, Falconer continues to write interesting (if not amazing) power metal songs with catchy choruses. There's not a bad song on this album, but there's nothing destined for the metal hall of fame, either.

On the whole, this is quite a decent power metal album, although with Göbel replacing Blad, Falconer takes a step back toward the rest of the power metal pack.

2 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Finally grew on me, April 8, 2004

By 

SEAN C JORDEN (Calgary, AB Canada) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Sceptre of Deception (Audio CD)

First of all, I actually came into Falconer under their previous incarnation with the incomperable Blad on vocals. Chapters of a Vale Forlorn was an excellent offering musically and vocally and of course I was dissapointed to hear that Blad had decided to pursue other endeavors.

When I first heard this album, I was certainly not impressed - the music did not seem to be up to par. However, something happened around the fourth or fifth listen, and I found myself cherishing certain parts of songs in the same way I did before.

This is a CD to be enjoyed - its well written and the new singer has added some power that did not exist before. You will love it.. eventually!

3.0 out of 5 stars least favorite Falconer album, October 27, 2011

By 

Jonathan Cortez - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Sceptre of Deception (Audio CD)

That my least favorite album still gets three stars says something about the quality of this band. Falconer is a fairly obscure power metal band from Sweden. It's a shame not too many people know about them, because the band is very talented at both playing and writing music.

For the first two albums, Falconer existed in the studio only. The founding members decided they wanted to tour, but the singer, Mathias Blad, is a theatre actor and did not want to commit. So the band hired Kirstoffer Gobel, some other members, and created The Sceptre of Deception. Blad stuck around to record vocals on the short closing song, "Child of Innocence."

There are a couple reasons why I feel this album is only average. For one, the guitar work is mediocre compared to what the band pulled off before and after. The solos are lacking; there are few hooks. The other instruments fall short as well. Perhaps the band temporary lost some inspiration while adjusting to the new members. Also, Gobel was a new singer and just okay at the time. His techniques improved substantially in Grime vs. Granduer.

The album is a concept album about the tumultuous reign of King Birger. In this regard, it's educational and lyrically, very good. In fact, several of the songs stand out because of the vocals, particularly "Pledge for Freedom" and "Ravenhair."

The most worth while track is the title song. It is the climax of the plot, and really shows what Falconer is capable of. It is one of the longest (and best) song's Falconer has recorded and contains some great solos, melodies, choruses, and bridges.

I would recommend this album to all Falconer fans, because it isn't bad. If you can get over Blad's absence, it's worth your money. For anyone new to Falconer, try out their self-titled debut, or any post-Gobel album before this, because the instrumentation is far better.