ALBUM REVIEW: Wind Rose

Dwarf metal act Wind Rose deliver a fun, party starting version of power metal that the band makes their own. Rising in popularity from their song "Diggy Diggy Hole", the band has taken that popularity and channeled it into their music. Truly living up to that Dwarven lifestyle, but with guitars and a whole lot of ale and mead. On the band's sixth album Trollslayer, does the band keep the party going while fighting trolls and digging holes? Or is this gonna be one hell of a dwarven hangover?

The album opens with the instrumental opener "Of Ice and Blood". With ethereal synths, and thundering, cinematic level percussion, strings begin to slowly rise from the depths. Creating a beautiful combination of soft and gentle strings that you'd hear in a medieval tavern, just as brass adds that orchestral punch and accent to the track. A nice, hype-building intro instrumental piece.

The album officially kicks off "Dance of The Axes". With Claudio Falconcini's guitars ringing and drummer Federico Gatti upping the pacing, the song is off and running. Francesco Cavalieri's guttural growl, leading into chant along Oi's as the verse section hits. I can hear bassist Cristiano Bertocchi's bass adding extra oomph to Falconcini's guitar. High-octane and up-tempo pacing, with the call and response feel of the chorus. I can picture the song killing it live with the crowd participation (when they're not busy mining in the pit). Federico Meranda's synths add a nice medieval/folk touch. I was headbanging along with every snare strike and fist-pumping lyric during the chorus. The closing section, around the three quarters mark of synths and vocals INSTANTLY reminded me of Blind Guardian, before the guttural growl of Cavalieri leads back into the chorus for the final rendition.

"The Great Feast Underground" opens with a heavy-folk influence riff and minstrel vibe. Conjuring up a cinematic image of drinking, dancing and chanting along with Cavalieri. I can picture this being a pit starter of a song. A fun, easy-going vibe that Wind Rose loves to deliver live. The flute lead over the driving drums that Gatti delivers, just adds that uplifting, festive vibe to the song. The instrumental keys and strings section, segueing into the vocal presence of Cavalieri, really conveys that the band wants this to be the song you bang your head to, hop into the pit to, or drink your mead from the back to. Great track and truly captures the band's dwarven spirit of a good time.

"Rock and Stone" has a beautiful string and percussion arrangement in the opening moments. With a very power metal opening riff, the singing of the song's title, into another call and response feel is now becoming a trademark of this album. Falconcini delivers a catchy, up-tempo palm muted riff, while also capturing that folk vibe combined with power metal in the delivery and letting the riff hang in the mix. Cavalieri truly conducts the band as he sings, with each vocal high and growl gets emphasized by the band's vibe. Also, the right amount of synths and strings is done perfectly. Not enough to dominate the song, but in the mix enough to be heard and be felt or accent the music.

Drums lead the charge on the track "To Be A Dwarf". With an almost melodic death metal sounding riff, combined with the double bass, the synths just switch it up enough to be power metal. The vocal layering on Cavalieri, gives off the feeling of him conducting an army as the strings behind him add to the impact of the riff. A call-to-arms feeling throughout the song, especially with the war-like drums and chugging command of the guitars, truly creates that feeling of marching off to war or to the mines. Mimicking the feel of leaving for home and possibly not coming back. A true standout track for me, with the band nailing that aesthetic that they know so well and my personal favorite track.

"Home of The Twilight" opens with a punch to the throat powerhouse of an intro. With driving drums, ringing guitars and accompanying strings. I was instantly hooked on the guitars, both electric and minstrel-like, as the drums created that catchy, bouncy feel that power metal delivers. So upbeat, it instantly will make you toe-tap along with it. The crescendo-like build, as it heads into the chorus, is so masterfully done. They also add such great choir-esque harmonies near the three quarters mark over the minstrel-synths. Before the guitars and drums come roaring in like a lion and the song builds again for one more chorus.

The album's title track continues the same driving, opening tempo from the previous track. Though this time, we get a softer, harpsichord/accordion combo before the guttural growl and heavier riff comes kicking and screaming into the song. A catchy riff, that segues into the gang vocals of the song's title. Making it another high-energy song that the band nails so good. As the double bass kicks in, into the strings/guitar combo, was so perfectly timed and is that nice little touch that just makes that piece work.

With building strings and percussion, "Legacy of The Forge" kicks off into beautiful layered choir vocals. I was instantly bobbing along with the guitar riff, which Falconcini has been a beast on this album as a constant riff machine. The string emphasis, especially on the chorus, truly amplifies and pushes the band's sound to the next level. As well as filling the space of the mix. Thundering war drums, and minstrel-like passages segue into epic choirs. Adding that depth and cinematic feeling.

The album closes with the track "No More Sorrow". With violin and an almost techno-based melody, it is then accented by the guitar following that same melody. Double bass is driving and present throughout the opening musical section. Vocals are being belted to the rafters, before being joined by a choir on the chorus. Conveying sadness and loss, before the song's vocals turn from sorrow and depression, to power and dominance. Juxta positioning between emotional sadness and loss in facing death, while also commanding death to take me when it can have me. Musically more heavy and dark than the rest of the album, the band still makes it an epic and harrowing close to the journey that they delivered on this album.

Trollslayer is a record that is meant to be enjoyed by fellow dwarves, as you chant along with every word and drink in-between verses. With sing-along choruses, catchy and chant along sections, the album is just a good time overall that truly encapsulates the band's fun-loving, easy going attitude both live and on their albums. With Trollslayer, the band just gets better and better with each release. Taking their sound to a grander and larger scale. Making them a band that needs to be heard and seen live. If you need an album to play Dungeons & Dragons to as you roll your D-20 for initiative, or drinking at a bar after a long day in the mines, or both at the same time. Wind Rose is that band and this album is a great introduction for people to check out the band as well.

SCORE: 9 / 10