tracklist:
01. The Losers' Ball
02. Pathfinders
03. Jigsaw Puzzle
04. The Silk Dilemma
05. Disappearing Sands (ltd. edition bonus track)
06. Moonchariot
07. The Perpetual Knot
08. Another Haven
09. A Fiery Stride (ltd. edition bonus track)
10. Midnight Circus
11. A Poem For The Firmament

Release: 19.04.2004
Label: AFM Records
Similar bands: Tuatha De Danann, Cruachan



Vocals: Kleid
Guitars: Aydan
Guitars: Jarpen
Bass: Gorlan
Drums: Zender
Keyboards/Violins: Elyghen

Biography

Elvenking are formed in October 1997, iniziative of the guitarists Aydan and Jarpen (once known as Dag'or'dil), old friends who share the same passion for metal music and for folkloristic traditions. The line-up problems the group has to face in the early months are numerous, as are also the changes in formation which impede the continuos activity of the band. In March 1998, the singer Damnagoras joins the band and only in the following September the group finds a definite stability with the arrival of Zender (once known as Stormgald) on the drums.
Right from the beginning, Elvenking set themselves the objective of finding a formula which can combine metal, folk music and extreme sounds in a unique mixture, with lyrics based on the pagan worship of nature and on the tradition of folkloristic fairy-tales. After considerable live experience, the band realises that the time is right to start thinking about recording a "promo" that may arouse the interest of record labels. It is at this time that the band loses the bass player Sargon, in the band since it was first formed, due to musical divergences. At such a delicate moment, the group starts looking for a valid substitute, however without success.

By now, it's almost time to record the promo and the search for a new bass player is abandoned for the time being. The CD is recorded with a four-member line-up with Damnagoras in the double role of vocalist/bass player (solution also used in concert). The recordings take place at "New Sin Audio Design" at Loria, near Treviso (Italy), studios where bands such as Labyrinth, White Skull, Domine, Eldritch have recorded. "To Oak Woods Bestowed" is the result of nine days of recordings and includes five tracks which represent Elvenking's product from their debut up to today.
In the CD there are older songs, like the concluding "Under the Tree of Us'dum", one of the first tracks written by the band, and other more recent compositions which show the evolving of the group in a precise direction. The demo CD aroused the interest of the record labels: after pondering the offers received, these folks decided to sign for AFM records, German label of Edguy, Avantasia, Steel Attack, Paradox, Squealer etc...

On the other hand, the new compositions of the band which will appear on the debut album "Heathenreel" show an "extreme" evolution inasmuch as the new sound-development focuses on the contrast between folk melodies (with the use of classical instruments such as flutes and fiddles) and aggressive riffs . Moreover, the new material tries to moderate the excessive time/structure-changes, with the objective to be more straight even if always part of the originary "folk-aggressive metal" of the band.

Meanwhile Elvenking enriched their sound with the entry of a new bass player: Gorlan. Friend of Aydan and Jarpen, he first came into the band as a session player, then he joined Elvenking permanently as a member at all effects.Some really good names are involved in the realisation of the debut album called "Heathenreel". It's been recorded at New Sin Audio Design by Luigi Stefanini and mixed at Fredman Studios by Fredrik Nordstrom. The cover artwork has been made by Travis Smith and the band logo designed by J.P. Fournier (Avantasia, Immortal, ...)

After a period of decisions, arrangemets and few news, Elvenking are finally proud to announce the setting of the new line-up.
Singer KLEID joined the elves after a long period of trial, during which he showed he had what it takes to do the job properly! He already recorded the preproduction demos of the NEW ALBUM, and the results are amazing!
More than this, the sound is enriched by ELYGHEN's violin and keyboards, which will define brand new folk atmospheres. Elyghen already helped the band in "Heathenreel", recording the violin tunes. Everyone in the group is happy to have these folks on board, we're sure they are totally fit for the band, both as musicians and as individuals.

Elvenking ended the songwriting process for the new album, which is truly what everyone in the band hoped for. Some titles are "Pathfinders", "Jigsaw Puzzle", "The perpetual knot", "Midnight Circus", "The moonchariot". Hopefully we will enter the studio in January. The new album shows the evolution of all the characteristics of our sound. The new material, which is a bit straighter than Heathenreel's, will have all the great melodies, the folk touch and the aggressiveness as trademarks of the elves, but the whole will be developed in more mature way, with a lot of different feelings and emotions.
After so much time spent in songwriting, we're completely satisfied of the songs as they are.



A couple of years later it finally happens: Elvenking’s second album ‘Wyrd’ is in stores, so time for me to get this album. When I first listened to it, I was a bit disappointed, but after a couple of listening sessions it becomes clear that ‘Wyrd’ is that kind of album which must grow while listening it more often and after a couple of times I learned to appreciate this album more and more. Elvenking has changed its line-up in the past three years, and so it became that singer Damnagoras, which we all know from Heathenreel, is replaced by Kleid. Unbelievable, but Kleid just sounds like Damnagoras, so the loss of Elvenking’s previous singer isn’t a tragic one. In a song like ‘Moonchariot’ Kleids voice sound a bit complaining and that’s one thing I did not hear on Heathenreel. With ‘Wyrd’ Elvenking proves they developed their own style and this powermetalband is definitely one of a kind. They improved their musical skills and especially the folk parts; they are more beautiful, cheerful and believable. They have used classical instruments like violins, and that is certainly an acquisition. This album is a logical successor of ‘Heathenreel’ and in some parts not quite renewing. Songs like ‘Midnight Cross’ and ‘The Silk Dilemma’ are absolute great songs, but still there isn’t the magic of songs like ‘Pagan Purity’ and ‘White Willow’. Definitely the best song of ‘Wyrd’ is bonustrack ‘A Fiery Stride’. This song is fucking great! And that proves that Elvenking can make music and they do it on their very own way. If you like powermetal with folk influences, just go and get this album. Once again; although their first album is much better, this album is worth listening and can become an appreciated album on itself.

Inge Daamen


для тех, кто хочет помочь с раздачей - к утру будет на фтп..