Metal Reviews

I gave this album 2 very serious listens... indeed it's uninspired, generic and dull... I thought their 3 albums were the best PM could get lately... but Grime vs Grandeur is a big disappointment... I hardly recognize the falconer I used to love... What happened ? the style is very similar, the production is good but the fuckings songs just don't grab me... not to mention the ugly artwork... all in all I think you overrated this album. from where I stand it's a 50 at best.

That's really lame that a reviewer has to defend his review. We all have different tastes and opinions. Deal with it. I would rather have Ben objectively review it and give me his honest opinion on it than have some "fanboy" say it's the greatest thing since sliced bread, only for me to spend hard-earned money on it to find out it's dull and lifeless which this album very much is. And on his qualifications for reviewing this band or anyone for that matter, I know Ben, not well, but we are from the same town and he is a power metal fanatic and knows a lot of things about the genre so he is knowlegable enough to review ANY PM release. If you don't like his review fine, but don't cry like a little girl over it. :twisted:

and, tell me, what is the best Sliced Bread album ? :roll:

sounds like an awesome band

I gave Toasted Cheese Sandwich a 92/100! A brilliant mix of Paganistic Black Metal with some New Age styling ala Enya thrown in there layered with some Country Grits. And that "Iron Kids is Shite" intro completely owned.

Since when is it not OK to criticize bad reviews or reviews in general? And Ben is just is guilty of being a "fanboy" as anyone. And I didn't ask for raving review, only for a fair one as I am tired of seeing some albums ridiculously overrated while others are ridiculously underrated.

How am I guilty of being a fanboy? I've given bands that I like low scores, Falconer, Steel Prophet, Nightwish, Michael Kiske, numerous times. So seriously, I'm wondering where you're getting this info from.


Also I'm not saying you arent entitled to your own opinion, it just means less when you come in to tell me that I suck and shouldn't be reviewing without having any valid points to back it up. If you will, why don't YOU write a review on this cd and post it here and let's all have a gander at what your opinion is on this cd so you can be told you're wrong.

"fanboy"==look at the pyramaze review, you were raving like a madman about an average album. Not saying you suck, just saying you should be more fair and balanced with your reviews. And if you think you can't, then let someone else review that album.

Totally disagree with the review as well. The first 5 songs are some of the best and catchiest songs they have ever wrote. The last part of the album does become rather dull and generic, but I still beliieve the album deserves between the range of 75 to 83.
It has spun regularly for me the last few weeks except i have a tendecncy to stop it after track 6. The last few tracks just never sank in for me
but this is one of the first reviews that I have disagreed with a great deal of variance from the reviewers opinion.
But if Ben does not like it, then it is that simple.

I think the vocalist is not the real problem. They both do a good job. But i think the review of Grime vs. Grandeur desrcibes well how good or bad the album is. I think Falconer can do much better. Maybe it's because of the band member mutations. Some songs have potential like for example the Assaillant but somethins is lacking. With first 3 albums the songs seems to stay put in your head but with this album it only, like Ben said, Purgatory time seems of this category.

I agree with all the detractors of this CD.. it really was quite tedious. Shame, hope they get back on track.

While I can see (and indeed agree with) some of the criticism leveled at the 'new' Falconer, I'm still a fan of the band in its current form.

They won't match the heights of the first two albums again, of that I'm sure (remember the first is probably the best because it contains all the ideas Stefan had saved up over a couple of years before recording), and its best to think of the new lineup as a seperate entity.

A good seperate entity if you ask me. Its all about opinions (unless you ask WiC) but I think the new Falconer has to be judged on its own merits and not against the class of the former incarnation, against which the biggest percentage of power metal releases would struggle.

The talk of lineup changes is also a little over the top - remember the first two albums were recorded by only 3 members. The only serious change is Mattias, as Peder & Anders Johnasson had very little creative input on the 3rd album. Jimmy Hedlund's presence is more recognisable as he is allowed to solo more than Stefan ever did on the previous releases.

This is not my favourite Falconer relase, but it may be my favourite release so far by Falconer Mk. II, I haven't decided yet.

Then don't



Perhaps you will ultimately agree with the review.

I would have to agree with Ben in the review, the one thing that made the songs on their two first albums great was Mathias Blad, he brought uniqueness to the music. Without him, the band is still average to accomplished in songwriting, musicianship and vocals, but there's no reason to listen to their albums. With so many bands crowding this genre you'll need an edge, and Falconer I'm afraid to say has lost theirs.

I doubt it, I am too much of a fanboy and I love bands that have a unique sound/style.

their first 3 albums I would probably rate 90/100 each, maybe first one a bit higher because it was the first time we got such unique sound. All worthy of being a masterpiece, but none were perfect, still room for improvement. Chapters album was almost perfect, but just so short and Busted to the Floor while a cool song, felt more like a bonus track. They have great consistancy and amazingly overcame a loss of a great singer like Blad with a perfect replacement.

The new album is probably their weakest, but I can't imagine it being anything less than 70/100. One of the songs I heard: Child of the Wild was rather dull for the most parts, but Humanity Overdose sounded great.

So far this site fucked up on 3 out 4 Falconer reviews, IMO.

Ok....here's my take on the album. There's definitely a few rather bland songs moreso with the vocals rather than the music. Even some of the more average songs still have some great riff and lead breaks. Emotional Skies, Purgatory Time and Jack The Knife are the album highlights for me. Kris Gobels voice doesn't sound as strong as it did with Scepter Of Deception. Overall, even though it's without question the worst of the Falconer albums, it still has it's moments. As far as the Mathias Blad factor, he is a stage actor who does a lot of work in musicals. While he could do the albums, he couldn't commit to touring because of his work schedule. He didn't leave the band or was he asked to leave, it was a mutual decision as Falconer wasn't in a position to do live work and tours with Mathias on vocals. He really isn't a heavy metal singer at all and even though I thought his vocals were refeshing and different, I could very well seeing that line-up getting stagnant. Kris Gobel still has some work to do with his vocals but he gives Falconer the chance to be more versatile than they would have been if Mathias was still in the band. I loved the Scepter Of Deception. It's not as good as the debut or Chapters From A Tale Forlorn but it's still a kick ass power metal album with some monstrous riffs. I like both versions of Falconer but with Mathias Blad, he had to go in order for the band to at least give it their best shot at success. I like Stefans riffs and style of writing and even though I see a decline in the quality of this album over Scepter, I still think there's life left in the band and I'm not going to be as quick to write them off..........

When first listening to this album it didn't even sound like the Falconer of the past 3 albums. Not only was the Viking feeling missing for me, as well as the majestic guitar lead fills, but the vocals also sounded stripped down a bit. However, this album has grown on me and I'm beginning to like it more and more....so far, low 70's for me.

This album sucks. Goddamnit, why does every good metal band have to turn into absolute shit. They pulled a Steel Attack: awesome first album, mediocre second album, and then pure shit afterwards. God fucking damnit. This is so disappointing.

Nuttin' tops songs like Wings of Serenity and Substitutional World. I miss Blad.

Falconer is like the gayest powermetal band ive ever heard.....and the singer doesnt even sing like a girl...GET THAT BITCHES!!!!!!!

Hoooold the scepter to the sky
hooold it high to be cleansed
take the scepter and place it in my ass
god i am a fag and let it be known
We choose the boy to be king
kiiing of my ass

hahahahaha lmao lol lmao lol ROTFLMAO!!!!!!! lol lol!