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Review by Radagast for metalcdratings.com (January 23rd, 2009)
Review by Radagast for metalcdratings.com (January 23rd, 2009)
Until I saw them onstage supporting Sabaton late last year,
Grailknights were a band I hadn't even heard of. Surprising,
considering their wacky, larger-than-life image (those Germans...) that
they seem to have avoided any serious media coverage so far. To say
their live show - 4 grown men in colour-coded superhero costumes
fighting off stagehands in rubber skull masks while a pantomime horse
hands out tins of beer to the audience - left an impression on me would
be an understatement, and while the display they put on was pure
entertainment, threatening even to upstage their Swedish hosts, I was
keen to make sure that in the sobering light of day their melodic
death/power metal combo held up to their image.
This 3rd CD,
'Alliance', does indeed match expectations, and the music is actually
presented on its own terms and with a completely straight face. In
fact, if a listener were to be presented with the CD with no prior
knowledge of the band, their ridiculous appearance would most likely
come as a surprise. A bit of comedy in heavy metal is always welcome of
course, but bands like Edguy and Trollfest – for 2 quick examples –
need to realize that letting it spill over from the image and lyrics
and seep into the music itself is more often than not to the detriment
of a CD.
Another thing that makes itself clear quite early on is
that for occupying a niche that has had quite a hefty population of
late, Grailknights have actually hit on something fairly unique. Not
the Children of Bodom approach the term 'melodic death/power' usually
brings to mind, they play a far grander, more epic style that brings in
a few folk elements from time to time, and indeed the best quick
description I can find is of a less folky Ensiferum. "White raven" is
the song which sounds most like the Finnish titans, with some accordion
assistance and a bigger clean vocal presence (actually more reminiscent
of Turisas' Warlord Nygard) than usual contributing to what might just
be the best song on 'Alliance'.
The varied mixing up of vocal
styles is one of Grailknights' biggest pulls, with the songs frequently
jumping between differing harsh and melodic tones. Bassist Mac Death
(groan) deals in low-frequency death growls, while the higher-pitched
harsh vocals and lead clean vocals are dealt with by guitarist Sir
Optimus Prime (groan groan). Most of the songs also feature the 2
singing along with 2nd guitarist Lord Lightbringer (groan groan groan)
in choir formation, and the extra variety this brings further accents
the differing approaches they take to their individual songs.
The
heavy riffing and pounding drums in the verses of the opener "Nameless
grave" perfectly suit the guttural growls of the bass player, while the
energetic melodic lead playing of "In for the kill" is quite
reminiscent of the later, more power metal work from the Dragonforce
progenitor Demoniac. More restrained offerings include the gentle
ballad "Tranquillity's embrace", which again walks the same streets as
Ensiferum, and the meandering, German-sung closer "Der konig von
thule". "Grailquest gladiators" is another stellar offering, with a
simply compulsory chorus dominating the song, culminating in a
broken-down drums-and-choir section that ensures it stays in the mind
long after the CD has stopped spinning.
All the ingredients in
the end come together to fashion a sound that will have a lot to offer
for people of differing tastes and opinions. With their broad range,
collective ear for a catchy melody and yes, marketability, they have
the potential to go places - Metal Hammer UK could easily have them set
up as some sort of monoliths going by their record of arbitrarily
picking out 'cool' (read: gimmicky) power and folk metal bands while
belittling the rest. Whether it forces that elusive breakthrough or
not, 'Alliance' is most definitely a CD that demands attention, and
will hopefully give Grailknights the opportunity to take their loonball
stage show on the road more often.
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