Rating:
Genre:
Rock
Release Date: 09/02/2008
Add two scoops of
Iron Maiden-style galloping metal, one scoop of
Queensrÿche-style singing, a spoonful of
Kamelot-style lyrics, and a pinch of
Spinal Tap-style bombast, and you get
Falconer. As heard throughout their 2008 release,
Among Beggars and Thieves, this quintet that hails from Mjölby, Sweden are well-versed in all of these aforementioned musical approaches. Prog metal, medieval metal, and even folk metal are all subgenres that the group falls under, as tracks such as the album opener,
"Field of Sorrow," "Vargaskall," and the title track fit neatly into all these metallic styles. There's no debate that the lads are technical experts at their instruments, while singer
Mathias Blad can hold his own against
Bruce Dickinson and
Geoff Tate. But that said,
Falconer doesn't display enough of its own take on the aforementioned metal styles, which by this point, have been done a zillion times over by countless other bands. Still, if it's complex, challenging, and verbose metal you seek, then it's time for you to hail
Falconer and the arrival of
Among Beggars and Thieves.
~Greg Prato, All Music Guide