In the beginning of this year Barcelona based Spanish
Folk/melodic death metal sextet Northland released their sophomore effort
entitled “Downfall and Rebirth” . Their latest effort sound pleasant and perfect to start out 2015. This
new album consist with eleven tracks including soaring Violin,flute,Piano works
with beautiful presence.In before they had released their debut self titled
album in 2010.They was formed in 2004 and releasing their demo from 2007.
I am really surprised that from first release this band
continued their excellent performance and I’ll say they are evolving way more
better with their each new release.When I first Unzip the rar file and started
listening this whole album in high volume I was just overwhelmed and can’t
resist myself from headbanging.After a multiple listen this whole album
enthralled me by it’s chromatic, multi-layered ,overarching melodic death metal
musical style laced with folk,celtic metal influence and obviously blew me away
by it’s melodic,refreshing,rhythmic musical composition. This new album is
triumphant sophisticated folk/melodic death metal.Appreciate each and every
musicians unsurpassed quality,ability ,skill and virtuosic performance.They
have endeavored fantastic effort on this album with excellent diligence and
nailed it.Folk metal can create a wide variety of soundscapes. Northland was
able to manage a beautiful and vast setting of the traditional flutes,violin
through an amalgamation of melodic death metal laced with Celtic folk musical
style. Despite the often melodic death metal assaults with a slew segments of slower tempo too
where Northland combines traditional folk/celtic music with enchanting melodic
death metal soundscapes. I highly appreciate their distinct style and applaud
this album.
well,this albums opening track is “When Nature Awakes”.This
track starts with absolutely stunning,slow flute solo which drag you into
another world followed by ethereal
sounds capes,consist with celtic harmony. Their whole composition and
musical style is impeccable also borrow great atmosphere with unconventional
instruments. In this album instruments
like Violin,Keyboards,flutes,Jaw Harp,bodhran add the celtic,folkish flavor to
Northland’s melodic death metal musical style. Downfall and Rebirth is a
concept album. They writing songs about mother nature rebelling against
mankind.Appreciate their classic theme and epic concept. This album borrow the
vibe of strong, powerful ,complete and
gorgeous atmosphere. Traditional folk instruments create a sort of equilibrium
between Downfall and Rebirth’s beauty and ferocity.
This new album is filled with a slew of soaring, constantly
shifting,melancholic, dazzling,shimmering, galloping, melodic riffs work. As
well bass line up is chaotic,fast, groovy, heavy. Drumming,percussion line up
is frantic,powerful ,consistent and pounding. In each track delicious,
gorgeous, soaring riffs,bass lineups matched in well manner with traditional
folk music. The most striking thing you’ll notice about the sound of Northland
is flute work,violin works ,traditional folk instrumental work,drumming
lineups, excellent guitar artistry at the energetic melodies and extremely well
symphonic,rhythmic swells. This whole album take you on such scenic journeys
with their hymns.” Downfall And Rebirth” endures beauty of folk/melodic death
metal.This album indulge strong songwriting and brilliant musicianship.
Appreciate their natural sounds .This
album have a hypnotic effect on the listener. vocals low pitched screams
,rousing, howling ,immense voice and even some clean voice emerged on this
album in a well manner and intertwined perfectly with their
fantastic,sophisticated,enchanting melodic death metal laced with classical
nuances ,Celtic folk musical accompaniment
and embedded perfectly. All songs have an amazing guitar riffing
progression that blends perfectly with violin,Keyboards and flute works
together in sequence. overall u will get
marvelous ambient from this whole album. Each song have an energy that’s
breathtaking in it’s fluency.Stand out tracks are all of them.I personally
cherish When Nature Awakes,Bloodred Sunrise,Together We Die,Duskriders,Spirit
in Darkness,Downfall and Rebirth,Moonlight Spell tracks . “The Rite” instrumental track is
fantastic too.On “Whispers in The Wind” track bass guitar work is
impressive.mesmerizing chants on ” Moonlight Spell ” track is remarkable and
finally “Downfall and Rebirth” track is astounding.This epic track opens up
with incredible,exotic soundtrack of a fantasy movie .Album artwork is
marvelous,majestic. overall “Downfall And Rebirth” whole album is
Spectacular,engrossing ,significant,Precise. This album sounds so
authentic.This album will give u unyielding awesomeness from beginning to the
end. After listening this whole album will satiate u for sure. This whole album
is well crafted,mind blowing and definitely worth a listen for all folk,melodic
death metal fans.
My Rating : 4.3/5 - Review done by Souvik Basu.
