Band: Tengwar Album: The Pilgrim's March Label: Independent Rating: 8/10 Website: http://www.myspace.com/ tengwarfolkspace BUY NOW!

It would take a great deal of ignorance as a metal fan not to notice the massive recent influx of bands from two particular sub-genres. The thrash and folk metal scenes have dominated our speakers over the last couple of years and what’s not to celebrate? The eagerly awaited return of Thrash is here! However, it is the other, slightly less media controlled field, folk metal, which the young Tolken obsessed Argentinean band Tengwar are involved with. I must say, with this band it is defiantly a case of folk by name and folk by nature! The list of traditional folk instruments on top of your average metal instruments is the most impressive I have seen in a folk metal band yet! This is only a two track EP so it would be a mistake to over-evaluate the lads based on the evidence we are given, but even so they’ve made a better start than many. In comparison to Moonsorrow and Ensiferum, you can in no way claim that this band is particularly heavy. However, some of the medieval sequences do have you rocking on your chair and they have even used the traditional instruments in a way to augment this and give a heavy underlying feel, especially in the fist song, ‘Marching South’. It is hard to establish any traits from two songs, but both of these tracks start with folk introductions, which should help to emphasize the main metal riff but unfortunately it doesn’t in either of these pieces. The guitar is simply the backing instrument and along with the many other instruments used, the signature metal sound is lost under a bed of folk. The only time the guitar is even the joint focus, is during the solo in the second track, which is good nonetheless. The vocals, while taking a while to get used to, are very effective, although hard to describe. If I call them medieval, you should begin to guess. If not, listen to the songs; you will see what I mean. Overall a promising start from these young Argentineans I have to say. They need a bit of metaling up to do before they can truly break into the scene, but it wont take much, just some louder and heavier guitar riffs. Nevertheless I can’t claim that it isn’t solid power metal because it truly is! They have achieved interesting riffs and tonality but the pieces never truly climax. This however, although a big criticism, is my only one. I commend them on two complex and original songs played well. I look forward to hearing their upcoming full album debut. I would recommend that you take a few minutes to listen to the songs because they are free! You can listen to them at their myspace page. Lewis Klein Back to Reviews