Album Review: Falconer - From A Dying Ember
Reviewed by Paul Hutchings
Having been in existence for two decades, it turns out that ‘From a Dying Ember’ is the swansong for the Swedish power metal outfit, whose music has thrilled thousands of fans worldwide over that time. If you are unfamiliar with the band, then my initial description would be to think of an over-the-top combination of Blind Guardian and early Magnum, with additional sprinklings of folk and epic metal. Formed in 2000 by guitarist Stefan Weinerhall, the band has had several changes but a stable line-up since around 2004. ‘From A Dying Ember’ features original vocalist Mathias Blad and drummer Karsten Larsson alongside Weinerhall and long-time members Jimmy Hedlun on guitar and bassist Magnus Linhardt.
Renowned for their addition of medieval instruments in their music, ‘From A Dying Ember’ is a glorious and eccentric conclusion to a joyous journey and a fitting finale. Every track is exaggerated, an expression of the band’s unique style, crammed with pomp and extravaganza. Opener ‘Kings & Queens’ is a sweeping welcome, explosive elements of power and speed metal blend with rich melodies, Blad’s incredible vocals and some soaring guitar work. It continues in this vein throughout. The opening trio of songs, the powerful ‘Desert Dreams’ and ‘Redeem & Repent’ as well as ‘Kings & Queens’ are anthemic and boisterous, yet rich in quality and confident in style. This is an album written by the band for themselves and it fully achieves their aim to finish with a record that is, as Weinerhall stated, “as good as we possibly could … all Falconer elements present”.
‘Bland Sump Och Dy’ introduces fiddle and is sung in Swedish, something the band are unafraid of doing having sung 2011’s ‘Armod’ entirely in their native tongue. ‘Fool’s Crusade’ highlights what a sonic oratory Blad possesses, his variation in tone varying from rich baritone to stylish alto. It’s bombastic and wonderfully excessive, with a rich hook that it’s impossible not to be snared by. Then you can travel back in time, for a visit to the courts with the medieval ‘Garnets and a Gilded Rose’ and ‘In Regal Attire’, the latter a fist pumping majestic song which races along.
One final ballad was inevitable, and ‘Rejoice the Adorned’ swells with pride. Blad’s vocal performance is stunning as is his interplay with piano, keys and strings; you can’t do anything but admire the strength and poise in the way he delivers. By contrast, the fiery ‘Testify’ that follows is a sheer balls-out power metal song, battering drums, driving riffing accompanied by some searing lead work to compliment the harmonious melody. ‘Thrust The Dagger Deep’ voyages into the field of epic metal before we arrive at ‘Rapture’ which features Weinerhall’s former Mithotyn bandmate, Karl Beckmann (guitars/keyboards), and which brings a triumphant finale in a song that echoes their former band.
With a quality mix and master as expected by Andy LaRocque, if this is to be end, then ‘From A Dying Ember’ is a mighty epitaph to a band whose final work may just be one of their best.
