EP REVIEW: Happy Heroes – Trollfest

Metal music is often categorised as revolving around sombre subject matters, from mental health battles to the insights of criminal activity, but it doesn’t always wear a permanent scowl. There’s a lighter side to the genre that regales tales of drinking, legendary heroes of past times, and in some cases, downright silliness. TROLLFEST fall squarely into the final bracket, and have done so since their formation in 2003. Now we see their latest effort of tomfoolery with their brand new EP, Happy Heroes.

Comprising of one original composition and three covers, it doesn’t take long for the tone to be set for the next fifteen minutes. The opening title-track Happy Heroes concerns evil, self-righteous troll superheroes that you would not want to call if you needed help. It has it’s conceptual appeal to be amusing, but the majority of the listen it feels like a one-dimensional folk/power metal song with an inadequate level of personality to raise a smile. It’s swiftly followed by Cartoon Heroes, which features Miriam Renvåg Müller from RAM-ZET and offers a more insightful perspective. Originally by AQUA, Müller is undoubtedly the most redeeming part of this song that brings it a little more to life.

Unfortunately from here, the second half of the EP seems to take another step in a decline. Don’t Worry Be Happy by BOBBY MCFERRIN is up there with BOB MARLEY‘s Three Little Birds as one of the most uplifting and comforting reggae songs of all time, yet TROLLFEST seem to have missed the mark. Whilst it certainly remains upbeat, it appears to be its only redeeming quality as the remaining features sound forced and chaotic. The same feeling follows through as the band cover PHARREL WILLIAMS‘ mega hit Happy. It’s adaptation comes with out of place blast beats and a breakdown that features a flute-like sounding solo, whilst it has the ability to work, it again falls short and feels like an unnecessary addition that makes it sound clunky and disorganised.

There will always be a place in metal for humour and comedy, but there is a line that some bands may struggle to balance on to make it apparent this is their style. Albeit it’s not an easy line to walk when you have strong competition from other bands who are all aiming to try and make the genre a little more fun, but in this situation TROLLFEST have just fallen shy of the mark. It appears throughout the majority of the album that they have put too much pressure on themselves to sound fun, rather than just let the course run naturally.

Rating: 4/10

Happy Heroes is out now via Napalm Records. 

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