FALCONER - The Sceptre Of Deception
September 24, 2003, 21 years ago
(Metal Blade)
Coulda, but for some reason, I never disliked this band, Sweden's Falconer applying their folk melodies to crunching power metal with an over-the-top sincerity that is infectious indeed. This third album is a concept album, but you don't have to approach it that way, given the immediacy of the songs, the powerful guitars, the wild dynamics, and the stirring melodies enclosed. Kristoffer Gobel's vocals and stage presence won me over at the inaugural BW&BK; Six Pack festival, even though some grumbled about the self-importance they felt coming off the stage. All part of power metal, I say, and given these supremely dedicated songs down an epic path (see 'Pledge For Freedom') rarely traveled (Blind Guardian comes to mind), Falconer have that special something to kick them above what is a very large pack.
