Waylander

For a long time now Waylander have been one of, if not the, leading bands in the ever increasing surge of folk metal. There is no denying that they are a band who have had their fair share of problems; internal dispute has led to line-up changes aplenty and therefore a lack of any new material for many years. Despite these problems the boys are back with a slightly different line-up and an entirely new album. Folk metal is a vast genre full of variety, but there are a detached few who follow a more old-fashioned folk style. A style of folk which some would argue defines the word. I am, of course, talking of Irish folk music – the best of the best! Waylander are best described as "Irish Folk Metal", and I warn you if you are new to the concept, you may find yourself addicted fairly soon...what better place to start than this...

It honestly couldn’t start much better, although I did notice that in parts the guitar was out of time, a mistake I would more expect more of a young amateur band. Even so, I love the first song, a dynamic mix of thrash, death and Irish metal which intertwine to create a melodic masterpiece. We begin with a rather subtle bass and drum section, which is soon interrupted with an extremely folky guitar riff, and that too becomes enhanced when an Irish tin whistle, or something similar, is added, masking the guitar part. After this we continue with a mix of whistle and guitar until the song suddenly changes; monk like chanting accompanied with a classical guitar progression takes over the scene about a third of the way through the piece. After this we return to guitar and whistle but with an entirely new riff...it’s like listening to three different songs! There is nothing much to say about the vocals...typical black metal style and unchanging throughout the course of the album to be honest. Not that that’s a bad thing. The second song starts in the same way as the first with an Irish riff first played on guitar and then later on with whistle, a combination which is turning out to be quite a useful weapon! Another weapon which the band reveal in this song (much more prominently than in the first) is the drumming. This is no ordinary drum kit - you can hear that even in the first song - this is a traditional drum kit with its a much more reverberating and atmospheric sound. Overall not quite as "epic" as the first track, but then it is nearly 3 minutes shorter, or almost a full normal song to you or I. Still, 5 minutes isn’t so short, yes that’s right I said 5 minutes...and this is the shortest track on the album, the longest surpassing 10 minutes! The album combines traditional and more typical instruments throughout and the effect is mesmerising, it truly is. While the first and second tracks on the album are the best, there is no bad apple, no song that lets the album down in any way; they are all good.

Overall...probably Waylander’s best album, and maybe one of the best folk metal albums of all time. However, this album should come with a caution; this album will not be for everyone. Even in the world of folk metal there will be those who will not like it. It is different, it is unique, but unfortunately this comes at a price to the band...they have created an album – not dissimilar to their first – which many will not appreciate. I may be wrong, and I urge you to buy this album because if you like it you will not listen to anything else for a long time, but it has that feeling of selective listenability. Anyhow, as I say I strongly urge you to buy this album because I think it is truly brilliant.