Elenion Ancalima

I’m a card-carrying and enthusiastic supporter of Northern Silence Productions, with their trove of Summoning inspired bands – mostly of the one-man variety - who propel the warp and weft of Middle-earthean atmospheres into bold new heights.

Bands like Eternal Valley, Eldamar, Saor, Can Bardd, and Caladan Brood are responsible for creating some of the greatest epic albums of the last few years. What makes each of the said bands outstanding is that they have their own particular style and slant; they have their own identity. Eternal Valley involve heavy guitars and a doom feel, Eldamar utilise keyboard female vocals as melodies, Saor incorporate Scottish musical motifs etc. They are all essentially born out of the Summoning birth canal, but they are their own entities, with specific character and personality. My reviews of them have been glowing – all 90% plus scores.

Italian project Emyn Muil, however, sound like an exact carbon copy of their lords and masters in Summoning. Not just a little bit like Summoning – they sound exactly like Summoning. I’m certain that they use the exact same samples and programming that Summoning use, with the militaristic computer drums, synth keyboards, guitars playing second fiddle to the programming, and a variety mid-range vocal howling. If someone told me this was the new Summoning album, I would believe them.

Named after a mountain range in Middle-earth, everything is Tolkien-themed, from the lyrics to the artwork. The degree of Tolkien knowledge never ceases to amaze me with these projects, and Emyn Muil are no exception. To listen to this album is to enter into the world wholesale.

This raises several problems for a reviewer. On the one hand, the music here is generally excellent. The songs are long, epic, atmospheric and beautifully crafted. There aren’t the powerful hooks and movements that would elevate this album to outstanding status, but what is here is solid emotive music. Yet on the other hand, and without meaning to be rude, it’s a complete rip-off. An utter scam. I can’t remember really ever hearing a band sound so similar to their idols in nearly every way. Every single sound on this release, perhaps with the exception of the airy outro, has been specifically designed to sound like Summoning. Listen to the start of 'Ar-Pharazon' - those keyboards... it's Summoning! Listen to those drums, and that Nazgul howl. Summoning!

I think I’ve over-egged that particular pudding, so I’ll instead talk about why it’s still a good release. The layering of the musical elements is simply beautiful. The mixing is fantastic. The album begins with the sound of waves and a synth, complementing the album artwork that shows a boat on a stylised Tolkienesque sea. The orc-march drums come in, and some male narration joins a slow piping melody. It’s a very effective mood-setter. The highlight of the album is the 14 minute epic ‘The Lay of Numenore’, which is a fantastic cinematic and transformative listening experience, with its clip-clop verses and quick-march energy. There are some (real) female vocals here and there across the album, which add some elfin charm and subtlety.

Album artwork is excellent, with the booklet containing a map, lyrics and old school Tolkien-style drawings. It’s a brilliant overall package and no detail has been spared. At 41 minutes, the album is quite short for this particular genre, but as these are essentially Summoning songs anyway, it’s not a problem as Summoning have plenty of albums to listen to once this one stops.

I'm going to stop short at suggesting that Summoning fans would enjoy this, because while some obviously will, it also cuts a little too close to the bone, where an homage spills over into counterfeit behaviour. There's no denying that 'Elenion Ancalima' is a very well made, emotional and evocative album, but I wish they had a few points of difference from their heroes. Perhaps on the next album.