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Scythia
Of War
Independent
The breakout folk metal album of the year and not a Jethro Tull riff in the mix. Scythia has never shied away from owning up to being steeped in folk metal, excessive conceits and all. Consequently, the standard subject matter and over the top approach is way par for the course. For them to take any other would muddy the waters too much for a debut album.
So the vocalist comes on with epic tales of derring do and the rhythm section never sound less than massive mountains falling down and just when you think you’ve heard it all before a scary oboe cuts loose. What you’re hearing is a level of creativity and musicianship rare in this genre and rarer still on a debut from a young band.The music is adventurous, creative, the songs frequently step outside metal, employing piano,oboe and violin to make their points.
The violin work especially is a treat throughout, at tbis poiint the most original element in the Scythia sound that’ll make it instantly identifiable.
“…Of War” is a folk metal album any current fan of the genre will surely enjoy. More than that, Scythia’s licks are tasty enough to draw in those open to checking out folk metal without being bombarded with its cliched imagery. The combination of folk, symphonic, progressive, and classical elements make for a fluid and distinct sound that will make Scythia a force on the folk metal scene.
While the production is decidedly spotty in places, ‘Of War’ is an album that could give the genre a good name.
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