Search - Falconer :: Grime Vs Grandeur

Most of the kinks have been worked out

CellFreak | Memphis, TN USA | 05/05/2005

(4 out of 5 stars)

"This is Falconer's fourth release and easily their best. Their self-titled debut was a breath of fresh air in power metal clones. Excellent musicianship with the traditional speed and melody of power metal but not the monotony of unchanging double bass/high pitched shrieking throughout. They changed up the double bass patterns at times and the singer was not piercingly high-pitched (I have a low tolerance for the shrieking). Their second release, Chapters from a Tale Forlorn, was a disappointment in my opinion. It lacked creativity and, after the first track, the intricate bass drumming. The line-up changed and expanded for their third release, The Sceptre of Deception. A new singer but still without shrieking and a return to more of the intricate drumming of their debut. It was a step in the right direction but not quite there.



Along comes Grime vs. Grandeur. A return to using altering rhythms of double bass along with intelligent matching melody on guitar. The singer still shines (despite the occasional trip into shrieking land - a sad side effect of this type of metal, I guess). But new to this album is a little experimentation into mixing various techniques in with the traditional elements of power metal. I heard the use of voice effects in one song and a gruffer sounding growl in another. There is the occasional female soprano or orchestral highlight to add to the variety.



Track by track - here is my review:

1. Emotional Skies - 8/10. This song should be a sing-along candidate at concerts. Catchy double bass and guitar work open the song but the majority of the song is the choir sung chorus. A decent opening track



2. Purgatory Time - 9/10. A barrage of time changes and catchy melodies makes this track great.



3. I Refuse - 7/10. A slower, chunkier track reminiscent of their second release. The use of different voice techniques makes this one stand a little above the songs of that release though. Too much shrieking in this song for me.



4. Humanity Overdose - 7/10 A mix of speeds from furiously fast to a more droning choir-sung chorus. Parts of the song make the whole worth listening to, but the last half almost seems to drag on.



5. The Assailant - 10/10 A footstomping rhythm opens this track up and the whole is a great listen



6. Power - 8/10 A mix of chunky power metal with the more traditional sounds. This song, though good, also seems to drag out



7. Tears for Strangers - 9/10 A good example of the use of time changes to keep a song interesting



8. The Return - 10/10 Great opening guitar rhythm and the use of various vocal styles makes this one of the best songs on the album. I even like the shrieks.



9. Jack the Knife - 9/10 A slower track but still good. Still packs a punch in terms of guitar work. Keeps you listening



10. Child of the Wild - 10/10 A great way to end the album. The classic Falconer sound opens the track up. Time changes and a variety of singers highlights the positive changes the band has made.



I really wanted to give this album 5 stars and all the positive changes make it 5 stars in relation to their previous works. This band is just overflowing with potential. Aside from Blind Guardian and the most recent Wuthering Heights album, no other power metal bands seem to set themselves apart from the mold (this claim will certainly be challenged but the singing is what is used to judge the mold). In relation to all the albums of all the types of metal out there, it is just a four star effort."

WHOA

B. Bennett | Houston | 05/15/2005

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Why has only one person written a review on this amazing piece of musical history? THIS ALBUM IS INCREDIBLE - GO BUY IT IMMEDIATELY! When I popped this album in, I was honestly expecting to be disappointed. I love Falconer more than anyone on earth, but I thought there was no way they could keep following up with great albums...But when I heard Purgatory Time, I felt like I was listening to Falconer for the first time again. It was an amzing feeling, and I think everyone should feel it for themselves. I also think that we should do our best to make Falconer rich, because that is what they truly deserve...they are easily the best power metal band out there, SO BUY THE ALBUM!"

Good effort but...

Eric Chiasson | New-Brunswick, Canada | 07/11/2005

(3 out of 5 stars)

"Being a big Falconer fan, I hate to to say this but, for me, Grime Vs. Grandeur is a step down. All the songs on the album are good & worth listening to but, after I did, nothing on that album really got my attention. Songs like Emotional Skies & Humanity Overdose are just a bit too "happy" for my style; kind of a Freedom Call rip off if you will. However, other songs like I Refuse, No Tears For Strangers & Jack The Knife really shows the band's talent. Kristoffer Göbel's voice also improved a lot from Sceptre Of Deception being more intense and sounding more solid. All in all, Grime Vs. Grandeur will most likely not win any new fans for the band. This is more for the true Falconer fan; and still..."