Artist: Eluveitie Album: Everything Remains as It Never Was

Year: 2010
Duration: 0:0-1

A Critical Review of Eluveitie's Everything Remains as It Never Was

Eluveitie, the Swiss Folk Metal band formed in 2002, has made quite a name for themselves over the years with their unique blend of Celtic folk music with metal elements. Their album, Everything Remains as It Never Was, released in 2010, was a defining moment for the band. As a listener, I was intrigued to explore this album, and after giving it a thorough listen, I present to you, my critical review of Everything Remains as It Never Was.

Firstly, let's dive into the music genre of the album. Folk Metal, as the name suggests, combines elements of folk music with heavy metal. The band's sound is characterized by the blend of traditional instruments like the mandolin, hurdy-gurdy, bagpipes, and flutes with electric guitars, bass, and drums. Eluveitie takes this genre to a different level with their use of traditional Swiss instruments like the hang drum and dulcimer. The result is a unique sound that sets them apart from other Folk Metal bands.

Moving on to the best songs of the album, I must say that there are quite a few that I enjoyed. The title track Everything Remains as It Never Was is an excellent start to the album. The perfect blend of Folk and Metal elements can be heard in this track. Kingdom Come Undone is another standout track with its catchy rhythms and a perfect mix of the traditional bagpipes and death growls.

One innovative part of this album that stood out to me was the prominent role of the female vocals. The band's lead vocalist, Chrigel Glanzmann, shares vocal duties with Anna Murphy, who also played the hurdy-gurdy, flute, and sang backup on this album. The vocal harmonies between the two create a beautiful contrast and add a new dynamic to the already unique sound of the band.

However, the album is not without its flaws. The songs tend to sound quite similar, with the same rhythmic structure repeated throughout the album. The instrumental tracks, while excellently played, tend to drag on and could have been shortened.

In conclusion, Everything Remains as It Never Was is a solid album that showcases the best of Eluveitie’s unique folk metal sound. The album has its hits and misses, but the innovative use of traditional instruments and female vocals make it a standout in the genre. The album may not be the band's best work, but it is still worth giving a listen to, especially if you are a fan of the Folk Metal genre.