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
