WINDFAERER „Tribus”

Music: Black/Folk Metal


Website: http://www.myspace.com/windfaerer
Country: United States
Duration: 42:06
Reviewer's Picks: Viriato, The Invader

When I first came across Windfaerer, a blackened folk metal band from New Jersey, I was impressed that there were any bands from the area making anything other than thrash. It seems thrash bands are a dime a dozen in New York and New Jersey, and while a lot of them are definitely worth listening to, there's just not a whole lot of variety. Windfaerer's full-length debut is, if nothing else, a breath of fresh air in the local scene.

The album wastes no time getting right to the point, and “These Walls (Frozen In Time)” is initially so energetic it sounds almost power metal overdubbed with black metal vocals. It's decent enough but doesn't seem to go anywhere, and the violin in the second half of the song is overbearing. In fact, at least half of the album could be improved by omitting the violin altogether. At its best (in “The Invader”), it's just not necessary. At its worst (in “In The Wake Of War”), it's unpleasant, grating, and egregious. I tend to love metal bands that incorporate folk elements (Eluveitie, Finntroll, etc.), but Windfaerer seem to throw the violin right on top of all the songs, regardless of tone or feel.

Unsurprisingly, my favorite songs on the album feature the least violin. “The Invader” is very catchy and fun to listen to, with the violin very much in the background. The only problem there is that the melody is extremely similar to the main riff of “Oestriminis,” which is a bit disorienting. At the very least, it's a nice-sounding riff, so hearing it twice isn't exactly the worst fate a listener can suffer.

However, the melodic repetition is indicative of a larger problem with the album: lack of adventure. I get it, this is Windfaerer's first album and they want to get everything right, but would it have killed them to take any risks whatsoever? If the first song is any indication, maybe. “These Walls (Frozen In Time)” is the only track on Tribus that has any hint of rhythmic experimentation, and it completely falls apart toward the end. The violin, if it in itself can be considered an experiment, is mostly irritating. Out of place, plodding bridges slow some of the better songs down. Ironically, it's when Windfaerer allow themselves to be “boring” that the album really shines. I never thought I'd want a band to be more formulaic, but then again, I never thought I'd hear a half-decent blackened folk metal band from New Jersey either. Windfaerer, you have promise — this album, on the other hand, does not.

note: 5.5/10

Tracklist

These Walls (Frozen In Time)
A Gentle Touch Upon Ravaged Wounds
In The Wake Of War
Viriato
Oestriminis
This Beautiful Death
The Invader
The Seafaerer's Legend

Line-up

M. Gonçalves – Vocals, Guitars, Bass
JP Andrade – Drums
Valček – Violin