Stonehymn hits you immediately with a dwarven hammer straight into the chest plate. Packing with gloomy rifts yet hopeful folk melodies, it floors you and lifts you at the same time.
The setting could easily be Lord of the Rings or Skyrim. Wind Rose return to the old days and establish themselves as iron clad dwarven bards, wandering the icy mountains somewhere in search of an inn, some mead and good entertainment, the latter which they provide themselves. Wind Rose have already played Bloodstock, UK 2017 and currently you can catch them on their Retaking of Erebor tour across Europe and as far out as Japan.
There are classical – opera undertones remnant of bands such as Nightwish which channel the vocals across realms. This is in fine balance with reliable heavy metal riffs that will not fail to satisfy the most avid metal heads. Every song on the album has an optimistic vibe and can provoke a sense of accomplishment in you just by listening to it. It could even potentially get you drinking more mead and having yourself a good time, maybe you will even dance.
The traditional folk elements are so potent they resurrect simpler, nobler, happier times gone by. The band are very likable, with lyrical focus on nature, the elements, battlegrounds, adventure, freedom, hope and belonging. It makes for really rather satisfying listening. This is symphonic power metal, at its best. To Erebor!!!
Rating 8.0/10
Written by Drew
Tracklist
01. Distant Battlefields
02. Dance of Fire
03. Under the Stone
04. To Erebor
05. The Returning Race
06. The Animist
07. The Wolves’ Call
08. Fallen Timbers
09. The Eyes of the Mountain
Band members
Francesco Cavalieri – Vocals
Claudio Falconcini – Guitars
Federico Meranda – Keyboards
Daniele Visconti – Drums
Cristiano Bertocchi – Bass
Record Label: Inner Wound Recordings, 2017
Discography
2017: Stonehymn [Inner Wound Recordings]
2015: Wardens of the West Wind
2012: Shadows Over Lothadruin
Weblinks: Website / Facebook / Instagram / Twitter
Buy the album here:
Holland: First Paradox
Norway: Nordic Mission
Video for ‘To Erebor’
Video for ‘The Returning Race’