crimfall the writ of sword

Released: 21 March 2011 Label: Spinefarm

Words like ‘epic’, ‘grandiose’ and ‘cinematic’ are bandied around with such frequency in metal circles that it’s all too easy to become a little jaded and cynical about it, particularly when such descriptions often amount to nothing more than an apparently spooky spoken word intro.

In the case of Crimfall, on this their second album, all the above adjectives are entirely apt and the band proves there is real substance behind the hyperbole.

Nominally at least, Crimfall sits somewhere in the folk metal genre, but given what a wide variety of styles that encompasses, it shouldn’t be too surprising to find strong links to both extreme and traditional metal, alongside some entirely convincing soundtrack elements, most notably illustrated on the soaring Geaogai.

There may be little originality left in contrasting growled male vocals with clean female vocals, but Crimfall does it far more convincingly than most, with both Mikko Hakkinen and Helena Haaparanta excelling on tracks such as the Bathory-like Silver and Bones.

Other high points include the early album double salvo of Storm Before the Calm and the thrilling Frost Upon Their Graves. The latter is especially outstanding, with its atmospheric and evocative character making it a must for fans of Eluveitie and Týr.

Perhaps the most impressive thing about The Writ Of Sword is that never do Crimfall come too close to overegging the pudding. The songs and instrumentation are given room to breathe and in a genre packed with bands falling over their own feet, the restraint and subtlety showed here ensures that Crimfall emerges as a class act.

by Marcus Jervis