Chapters From A Vale Forlorn
[Metal Blade]

Power metal is one genre of music in which there is very little experimentation or innovation. In today's realm of underground or European metal, power metal bands tend to be the most popular heavy music groups, far more so than most black metal, death metal, doom metal, et cetera. And yet, most power metal bands are playing music that is barely different from the power metal of the 1980's. With the rarest of exceptions, every modern power metal band seems to sound like Helloween, or Stratovarius, or even Dream Theater. The two modern power metal bands that have evolved the farthest from their roots are Blind Guardian and Rhapsody. But for the most part, other power metal bands seem loath to try anything new.

Except for Falconer. Relative newcomers to underground metal, and seemingly out of place on Metal Blade's roster of bands, Falconer may at first listen, sound little different than the myriad of related groups in the genre. However, there is something more subtle that places Falconer above most of their contemporaries. This three-piece formed from the ashes of Mithotyn in late 1999, and only have two albums out. Yet, they have the sound of a heavyweight power metal band, and a sound that is quickly evolving into one uniquely Falconer.

First off, almost all vocals on "Chapters from a Vale Forlorn" fall into the middle range of clean vocals. One is hard-pressed to think of a power metal band of any era with a vocalist who doesn't sing in the upper tenor range. Mathias Blad, however, has a very easy-sounding voice, not nasal or falsetto in the slightest, and thus sounds quite different from virtually all other power metal vocalists. The lyrics are also not what one might expect; while they certainly deal with medieval and fantasy concepts, they are less happy and victorious, more somber and grim. And they seem more intellectual than most power metal lyrics. With titles like "Decadence of Dignity," "The Clarion Call," and "Stand in Veneration," most listeners may find themselves scratching their heads as to the meaning of words like "inferiously," or running to Ye Olde Dictionary. Let there be no doubt; this is definitely power metal, and the lyrics fall into that tradition. But here there be shadows, and the cold reality of a feudal world, poetically recounted or otherwise.

As for the rest of the music, ex-Mithotyn guitarist Stefan Weinerhall provides both electric guitar and bass, while Karsten Larsson (also previously of Mithotyn) supplies percussion. The guitar riffs are dark and heavy as well, more akin to Nocturnal Rite's "Afterlife" than Rhapsody's "Legendary Tales." This is almost always a dark album. And something else that separates Falconer from most of their contemporaries is the lack of keyboards through the majority of the album. There is the occasional piano or flute, but for most of the nine tracks that make up "Chapters from a Vale Forlorn," the music consists of guitars, bass, drums, and vocals. And yet every song sounds full, thick and textured, and heavy. There are no ballads to speak of; even those songs that are of a slower-tempo still include crunchy guitar and hard-hitting drums.

It is Falconer's difference from most other power metal bands that makes this album stick out. But it is a great album in and of itself. The melodies are catchy and sweeping, if melancholy, and there is plenty of impressive playing to impress fans of more extreme metal. In many ways, "Chapters from a Vale Forlorn" is still a power metal band, with fanciful themes and epic choruses. But Falconer are quickly pulling to the front of a genre that has not seen true innovation in too long. With any luck, other power metal bands will take a hint from these three and begin to explore diversity in power metal. "Chapters from a Vale Forlorn" is one of the best power metal releases in several years, and just might be what those who lament the stagnation of this genre are looking for.