Battlelore Doombound

by Marc C
Staff Writer

While 12 years of history and numerous line-up changes would be enough for any band to lose focus and wander, Battlelore not only found a way to keep it together, but may have recorded their defining album in Doombound.

Drawing on the inspiration of JRR Tolkien’s Middle Earth fantasies, the members of Battlelore have successfully blended numerous Metal styles while maintaining a solid storied theme starting from the opening track “Bloodstained” straight through into the definitive final track “Kielo”.

Considered an “Epic Fantasy Metal” band (and who came up with all these sub-genres for Metal music anyway??) they have mastered a hodge podge of styles including but not limited to Gothic, Folk, Power and even a dash of Melodic Death metal thrown in for good measure.

Completely under utilized however is vocalist Kaisa Jouhki. Featured on track 4 “Enchanted” Kaisa stands out head and shoulders above yet the song loses its mood and feel just past the half-way point when vocalist Tomi Mykkänen growls his way through a verse that may have been either better left out or done with a smoother tone. The band takes on a completely different and stronger sound when Kaisa is handling the leads and sounds even better with the dual harmonies of both vocalists.

Sometimes the growls just do not fit and this is a perfect example of one of those times, and perhaps Battlelore would be better served dropping them altogether. The growling for effect steps all over so many of the tracks it washes away what is otherwise great music from great musicians.

All in all a very big step in the right direction for Battlelore and perhaps a refinement of their vocals is all this band needs to really break through.

Genre: Epic Fantasy Metal

Band:
Kaisa Jouhki – Vocals
Tomi Mykkänen – Vocals
Jussi Rautio – Lead Guitars
Jyri Vahvanen – Guitars
Timo Honkanen – Bass
Maria Honkanen – Keyboards, Flute
Henri Vahvanen – Drums

Track Listing:
1. Bloodstained
2. Iron Of death
3. Bow And Helm
4. Enchanted
5. Olden Gods
6. Fate Of The Betrayed
7. Men As Wolves
8. Last Of The Lords
9. Doombound
10. Kielo

Label: Napalm Records

Website: www.Battlelore.net

Hardrock Haven rating 8.5/10