ALBUM REVIEW: The Return Of The Shadow – Battlelore
Ahhh, 2011 – the year Download and Sonisphere truly battled it out for UK rock festival supremacy, BLACK SABBATH reformed and Mina Caputo came out and began transitioning. It was also, until last Friday, the last time BATTLELORE released a studio album, in the form of Doombound. Nine months later the Finnish symphonic metallers went on an indefinite hiatus and, despite reforming five years later, were (three live shows aside) barely active. Now though, they’re officially back with The Return Of The Shadow, their seventh studio album and first since the reformation, released via Napalm Records.
Given the gap in releases – and the fact they weren’t a band for nearly half that time – it seems a trifle unfair to compare The Return Of The Shadow to anything released prior, however the line-up hasn’t changed since their return; indeed, it’s been consistent since 2014. As such, one would hope that this is on the same level as Doombound, Evernight et al. Mercifully, it is. Opening track Minas Morgul is the audible equivalent of slipping on a pair of shoes you haven’t worn in a while; it doesn’t take long for you to remember why you loved them. With Kaisa Jouhki and Tomi Mykkänen‘s vocals dancing together as they always have, it’s clear that BATTLELORE haven’t missed a beat. Elvenking floats along with ease and grace, Firekeeper brings the heaviness with its riffs and soaring keyboards and True Dragons is a dark, brooding adventure to savour.
In addition to this, the band have added the Lost Lands EP on the end, three tracks written from just prior to their hiatus that haven’t yet seen the light of day. A different feel to the preceding nine tracks, the triumvirate of Avather, Caves Of The Forgotten and Isenmouthe showcase a band facing an uncertain future. With no indication of their return, the tracks are more reflective and gentle than some of their other material; presumably they would have been released as a final chapter should the band have not reformed.
There is, however, one area that needs improving across the album, and that’s the production; although holding enough clarity to ensure no muddying of instruments, it’s lacking a rawness that, consequently, leaves the album feeling safe and a bit tame. It’s not an easy thing to get right in symphonic metal given the grandeur and bombast that the genre brings, but if things hadn’t been so slick, every track would have had significantly more impact.
For those who were a fan of BATTLELORE before now, expect a welcome return to form. For those who aren’t aware of them but like the material of TURISAS, DELAIN, ENSIFERUM and the works of J.R.R. Tolkein, this lot will be easy to get on board with and enjoyable to listen to. The Return Of The Shadow is almost the perfect comeback album, strong in both musicianship and lyrics; if BATTLELORE get the production quality right on the next release, there could be no limit to where their stock will rise.
Rating: 7/10
The Return Of The Shadow is out now via Napalm Records.
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