Metal Reviews

Man i've been listening to the first Falconer album non stop lately. This album is so rediculously awesome. Mathias Blad had to be one of the more distinctive heavy metal vocalists, hell, he's not even a heavy metal vocalist. The riffs are amazing. The guy really takes care of business with the guitar. Great tone, also he does things with the guitar that it would normally take two guitarists to do. Very excellent riffs. The song writing is amazing as well. Its a shame they couldnt capture the same magic on the subsequent albums. It really is a shame. I put this in the same category as the first Steel Attack album. Awesome band....for one album.

I agree with you this time around. 'Upon The Grave Of Guilt' has to be one of the greatest power metal tracks ever -- but it wouldn't be half as good without Mathias vocals. It's really that amazing, especially the way he sings the last 'guilt'.

Only problem is that (like most Europeon bands) their lyrics are somewhat inane, and English is sometimes butchered (ex: Two lying hollow eyes is staring back), but it's not the worst I've heard.

Oh, Stefan's old band Mithotyn is always worth checking out.

Amazing album. I get on those same kicks where I listen to it non-stop. I also agree with you on the other Falconer albums being mediocre, except Northwind. Northwind is right up there with their s/t IMO.

I actually think that the first 3 Falconer albums are great, sure the debut is their best but "Chapters From A Vale Forlorn" and "The Sceptre Of Deception" have some kick ass tracks aswell i mean "For Life And Liberty" and "Hooves Over Northland" are two of their best songs IMO, havent heard "Northwind" but "Grime Vs. Grandeur" was shit.

I own all their albums, although I only bought them after listening to Northwind. To be honest I didn't like their older albums as much as Northwind (which was simply amazing!). I think Mathias is one of the best vocalist in the metal world.

Agreed, although I wouldn't place Scepter Of Deception on the same level as the first two. And as much as G. vs G. sucked it still had redeeming songs like Emotional Skies and Jack The Knife.
Btw Falconer should have a new album by the end of the year.

sounds like i need to check these guys out

Maybe not on the same lavel but a great album none the less, like i said it has a lots of killer tracks; "The Coronation" , "Under The Sword", "Night Of Infamy", "Hooves Over Northland", "Ravenhair" and "The Scepter Of Deception" kick some serious ass, if Mathias would had been on that album it would now been considered just as great as the first two, the problem with Grime Vs.Grandeur was IMO the songwritting not the singer, with the exception of Jack The Knife and maybe Emotional Skies all the other songs were forgettable

s/t > Northwind > Grime vs. Grandeur > Chapter From A Vale Forlorn > The Sceptre Of Deception

And yes, he's an amazing vocalist.

You know their older albums weren't bad at all but I felt that the singer was kinda holding himself in those previous albums, kinda like he was shy or wasnt used to singing in a metal band. Only on their latest album (Northwind) did he really show his potential. Of course im not talking about the two albums they released with that other singer, which were plain awful (can't remember what his name was!).

Purgatory Time is absolutely incredible. I think that album is slightly underrated but at the same time a great deal of the criticism it receives is justified.

Certainly I think all of their albums are worth owning, but the self-titled is a modern classic. Stefan just hit onto something special for that album.

Just dug up the debut, didn't remember how awesome this is. I love everything by Falconer except Grime Vs. Grandeur which left me somewhat cold. Some good songs, but overall really bland. Mathias sure kicks ass, why aren't there more singers like him in the scene?

I think him and the dude from Axenstar are both awesome, but I think it's just b/c of the type of bands they're in. If either of them were in Strato or Helloween... let's just say they wouldn't fit.

Check out pre-Falconer stuff from Mithotyn...more death metal vocals but the music is very Power metal like! "Gathered Round The Oaken Table" kicks ass!

You can tell a band is great when I come and post in the power metal section. Probably the best vocalist in power metal and Upon the Grave of Guilt is the best power metal song I've heard.

Hey... you're the fella from the Death/Black/Thrash forum aren't you?

My post was edited by metalness b/c I like touching little boys. I guess if you like touching little boys your posts get edited. And that's me, boy toucher. However I prefer man butt grabber.

His post was so lame. It said how much he hated Falconer, and didn't include any reason why he hated them. Normally I am not one to edit posts like that, but he just posted something to bash the band, and that's not cool in my book. I may post one word remarks, but I don't insult a band without explaining myself. He did the same thing in the Saxon thread.