Reviewed – 02/01/06

Farewell the Last Dawn
[Perverted Taste Music]

You know, I heard a few Rivendell MP3's a few years ago and was really impressed with what I heard. They released two albums on Skaldic Art that I actually saw available a few times at a few U.S. distros, but for some reason or another I just never picked them up. Rivendell recently changed labels and are now on Perverted Taste, a label that (seems to me anyway) we haven't seen much activity from in quite a while. About ten years ago Perverted Taste was really putting out some top notch albums, but until I got this Rivendell C.D., I honestly thought the label was out of business. That definitely is not the case as they've made up for all of their down time with the release of Rivendell's third full length album "Farewell The Last Dawn".

"Farewell The Last Dawn" is very epic and melodic Folk styled Black Metal. What I like about it is that it's slow to mid paced and never gets too fast or out of control. The focus here is on a huge as possible sound, not speed. The closest I can describe the Metal aspect of the album is that it's a bit like the slower Falkenbach material. It doesn't surprise me at all that Rivendell is appearing on the upcoming tribute to Falkenbach album. Only I personally think, and this may shock some, that "Farewell The Last Dawn" is better than anything Faklenbach has done. And I love Falkenbach, so that's saying a lot! If you're a fan of acoustic Folk music, you'll want to take note of this album as over a third of the album is almost completely acoustic. The simply amazing thing about this album is that one man, Falagar, does EVERYTHING on this album. Guitars, drums, bass... everything. He also uses some excellent traditional instruments like violin, flute, bagpipes, accordion, acoustic guitar, mandolin, even an Indian Sitar and whatever instrument it is that those snake charmers use! A few of these instruments sounds may have been recreated with the synth, but most sound like they're the real deal. Yes, this album is Folky as hell, and it's just how it should sound! There are quite a few synth parts, but these sound just as inspired as everything else. The level of professionalism Falagar shows on "Farewell The Last Dawn" is astounding. This is easily the best, most catchy, most memorable and most well played album done by one man that I've ever heard. Ever. Falagar has expertly crafted an album that takes you on a Folk Metal roller coaster of emotions. You'll actually feel sadness in some places on the album, you'll feel festive on the drinking styled songs, and you'll feel proud and ready for battle on others. A lot of albums have nice catchy melodies, but few have melodies and structures that actually make you feel as if you're part of the music like this one does. The last hidden track on the album is an Arabian number done completely with various percussion pieces and a Sitar. Sweet!

Keeping in line with the awesomeness of the music, Falagar's vocals are also some of the best Folk styled vocals I've ever heard. His raw B.M approach is most excellent, but what really stands out are his perfect clean baritone Folk vocals that he uses the most often. He sounds a bit like Vratyas of Falkenbach, only with a wider range.. You have to hear it to believe me, but he has with just this one album became one of my favorite Folk Metal vocalists! The lyrics are mostly written and suing in English with a few done in Falagar's native language. Austrian German, I believe. What the lyrics are about I can't quite tell as they were not printed in the booklet, but they seem to revolve around Tolkien's work.

The production is absolutely perfect. I wouldn't have given this C.D. a perfect score if the production had been off, no matter how good the music was. You will be amazed at how good this albums sounds. Falagar even did the producing and mixing on this album! The guy is a Folk Metal wizard, I tell you!

The cover art for "Farewell The Last Dawn", in which Falagar came up with the concept for, is a great photo of a dark forest that has the sun just beginning to peak through the darkness. It's quite eerie looking, and is a perfect representation of the music contained within. I love that Rivendell logo too! Inside the booklet you'll find some nice nature photography and a track listing. I wish the lyrics would have been printed here, especially seeing as though the booklet is eight pages long, but other than that it's perfect.

"Farewell The Last Dawn" is a C.D. that I can't recommend enough to you. I don't care if you like Folk Metal or not, chances are you'll like this. I've talked with people that pretty much hate Folk Metal and heard them say they thought this album was great. This is the best album I've heard since Asmegin's "Hin Vordende Sod & So" came out back in 2003. If I would have heard this before I made up my Best Albums Of 2005 list for Metal Coven, not only would this album have made that list, it would have topped the list! Go get this now, please. You won't regret it.