REVIEW: FOLKSTONE - IL CONFINE

"This is a simplistic (sometimes a little too simplistic) blend of catchy hard rock overlaid with traditional melodies"

REVIEW: SVARTBY - ELEMENTAL TALES

"Elemental Tales is a fun album to listen to, and if that's all you're after it will serve you well"

REVIEW: TROLLBAND - IN THE SHADOW OF A MOUNTAIN

"In the Shadow of a Mountain is a decent album with moments of brilliance, rather than simply an exceptional album."

REVIEW: ELUVEITIE - HELVETIOS

"Though Helvetios doesn't quite live up to its billing as a concept, it's still an impressive effort"

REVIEW: AL-NAMROOD - KITAB AL-AWTHAN

"Kitab Al-Awthan is a genuinely refreshing listen and one that is highly recommended for anyone seeking an original and interesting album"

Thursday 14 June 2012

FOLKSTONE - IL CONFINE

Before we even get properly started with this review, a quick word of warning for people who hate bagpipes: stay away! I know some people who simply can't abide the sound of bagpipes and if you're one of them Folkstone will be your idea of hell. Il Confine is all about the bagpipes, and they generally dictate the main melody of the songs. Fortunately for me, I quite like bagpipes, and I quite like Folkstone too.

If the sound of bagpipes initially generates an image of Celtic lands, it may seem a strange mix with the Italian lyrics throughout the album. However, it is in fact in keeping with the band's roots, utilising the baghèt – not a type of bread after all, but in fact a medieval bagpipe from the band's hometown of Bergamo.

Unlike so many other folk metal bands, Folkstone don't concern themselves with blistering speed, this is all about finding a groove and rocking out, medieval style. In short this is a simplistic (sometimes a little too simplistic) blend of catchy hard rock overlaid with traditional melodies. It makes for an instantly accessible and enjoyable listen.

The album starts strongly, with title track 'Il Confine' laying the foundations that the rest of the album will follow, quickly getting into a comfortable groove. Lead single 'Nebbie' follows, a delightfully catchy, bouncy number that captures the bagpipes at their best. However, while the band do attempt to mix things up with 'Omnia Fert Aetas' and 'Anomalus' the rest of the album falls into the trap of being slightly one-dimensional and forgettable. If the simplicity of the band's concept is attractive at first, after a few tracks it comes to feel rather limiting.

That's not to say that the rest of Il Confine is entirely forgettable. 'Storia Qualunque' livens things up by upping the tempo at just the right time, and provides a nice contrast to the meandering 'Anomalus'. A personal highlight is the epic 'Frammenti', a genuine breath of fresh air with its near-perfect synergy between guitar and bagpipes and tasteful inclusion of flute parts. This is one of the most refreshing folk metal songs I've heard in quite a while and is really worth the album's price alone. A word of praise also for the powerful vocals of Lorenzo Marchesi, which mark Folkstone out ahead of many other medieval metal bands and give extra weight to songs such as 'Luna' and 'Storia Qualunque', and really carries the album's main ballad, 'Ombre di Silenzio'.

In summary, Il Confine is a perfectly enjoyable album, if at times a little predictable and slightly samey. There are plenty of good things here to get excited about, and as a simple rock-out album it is an admirable attempt, however it lacks the depth to encourage repeat listens and by the end of the album some of the songs begin to blend into one another. Nevertheless, this is a band who have clearly discovered what they're good at and have focused on those elements of their music, and there's plenty to be said for that.


VERDICT