Rock In Review

Eluveitie - Slanía
Nuclear Blast Records

* * * *
4 Stars

Eluveitie has produced one of the most exciting Folk metal albums of the year, Slanía. With a collaborated effort from all eight members of the band, Slanía helps Eluveitie go a step forward on the Pagan metal scene that combines traditional, authentic Celtic Folk music a modern styled Melodic Death metal. The members are as follows: Merlin Sutter (drums), Anna Murphy (hurdygurdy and vocals), Ivo Henzi (guitar), Chrigel Glanzmann (lead vocals, mandola, acoustic guitar, tin & low whistles, uilleann pipes, and gaita), Rafi Kirder (bass and vocals), Meri Tadic (fiddle and vocals), Siméon Koch (guitars and vocals), and Sevan Kirder (tin & low whistles, Irish flute, gaita, and vocals). Overall, all eight members really do a great job presenting this revolutionary material from Switzerland. On the overall album, there are a few tracks that really caught my attention. The one that really stuck out over all the rest to me is “Elembívos” (track 12). The vocals consist only of a simple chant that remains constant throughout the entire song as the music builds up until it is at a maximum heavy capacity before going back just the chant, then back to full strength for the remainder of the song. The concept is fairly basic, but the overall product is a great closer as far as the regular tracks go. Other than “Elembívos”, “Prímordíal Breath” (track 2), “Gray Sublíme Archon” (track 4), and “Bloodstaíned Ground” stuck out for the large Metal influences used in the songs. For pure examples of the Celtic Folk style, “Anagantíos” (track 5) and “Gíamoníos” (track 9) are both excellent instrumental pieces. Overall, Slanía has one of the most interesting mixes of styles compiled into one album, but it all works out to be one of the best albums put out on the Pagan metal and Folk metal scenes in 2008!

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