The Scythe

Elvenking | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (January 17, 2012)
• Original Release Date: 2011
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: AFM
• ASIN: B000UZ4BTQ
• Also Available in: Audio CD  |  MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.1 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (9 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #365,014 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

2 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Power Meatal from Italy, December 17, 2007

By 

James B. Whitney "mannaz" (Minneapolis, MN. USA) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: The Scythe (Audio CD)

Elvenking play power metal with a folk twist by including a violin as an integral part of their songs. They are competant musicians and their songs are well written and thoughtful. As one might surmise from the title, "the Scythe" deals with the many different opinions about death. Most of the tunes are upbeat and pretty standared 80's influenced old school heavy metal with the violin. If you like that sort of thing, this disk is for you.
Although I enjoy this record, I give it four rather than five stars since there are really no stand out tracks like Motorhead's "Ace of Spades" or Maiden's "Run to the Hills". But this is still a good album and if you are a power metal fanatic it is worth getting.

4.0 out of 5 stars Not their best, but still impressive, January 22, 2010

By 

Justin Gaines (Northern Virginia) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: The Scythe (Audio CD)

People seem quick to play the "sellout" card when discussing Elvenking's 2007 album The Scythe. Frankly, unless you're Dragonforce I don't see how it's even possible for a power metal band to sell out. And no, there isn't anything remotely emo or nu-metal about this album.

Elvenking is doing what they've always done. They're playing power metal with string folk elements and a willingness to experiment with harsh vocals. They used harsh vocals/screams as far back as Heathenreel. That doesn't exactly make them Linkin Park or Bullet for My Valentine (Mercenary, maybe). That said; The Scythe is not Elvenking's strongest work. It lacks the focus and melodic beauty of Heathenreel, and seems a bit rushed. You have completely heavy songs like "Infection" and "Poison Tears" set against more traditional numbers like "The Divided Heart" (which has to be Elvenking's best song in quite a while), and the result is an album without a real character. Still, what other band is out there playing folk-based power metal, and doing it this well?

There are some really terrific songs on The Scythe, and some filler. The end result is still pretty impressive, even if it isn't the band's finest hour. I'd absolutely recommend this album to open-minded power metal fans, as well as fans of some of the Pagan Fest bands like Korpiklaani, Tyr and Finntroll.

PS - I saw Elvenking live at ProgPower USA IX in 2008, when they were pushing The Scythe, and they were brilliant. I'll give this band the benefit of a doubt every time.

3.0 out of 5 stars Needs editing, December 30, 2009

By 

Lobster Mobster (Off the coast of Maine) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Scythe (Audio CD)

While not Elvenking's best offering, The Scythe is solid and enjoyable. The biggest problem is in its presentation.

The album is interspersed with flat readings of lugubrious poetry, a technique that other metal bands have used and only rarely to any positive effect. While not the worst poetry I've ever heard, it is pithy and meaningless and ultimately detracts from the experience. It almost feels like it was thrown in to justify calling the album "The Scythe."

Honestly I'm surprised they all agreed to leave it in.