The Ancient Glory

Although there are thousands of bands that write about the history and happenings in Middle Earth, a select few actually manage to pull it off. Rivendell is definitely the best of the bunch.

The album has an extremely epic feel throughout, giving you a sense of grandness and adventure. The guitars aren’t overpowering, and fit in perfectly with the atmosphere of the music. The drums, while not overly aggressive or unique, are played well. The bass is the same way. Noticeable but not obnoxious. There are a few various instruments spread throughout the album as well, which give the music a bit of a folky feel without going over the top,. They simply add to the atmosphere. The vocals are, in my opinion, the best part of the entire album. The growls are amazing, and seem natural, not forced, as some singers tend to sound. They fit the music beautifully, and give a grim and serious feel to the music. The clean vocals are great as well, and add to the depth of the album while showcasing Falagar’s voice. All of the lyrics are taken from The Lord of the Rings, and I believe are slightly modified to flow better in parts. The only song not taken from the books is Aragorn Son Of Arathorn.

The music ranges from fast paced, heavy riffs perfect for head banging to slow, melodic parts using an acoustic guitar. The transitions between the fast and slow are good, and seem to fit into place well. The final mix is excellent, and the instrument recording are solid with no noticeable screw ups.

Once you listen to the album, you’ll understand why I used the phrase it fits so often. The whole album comes together perfectly, creating a unique masterpiece that would be fit in to nearly ever metal collection\ without any trouble. I put in on my Zune nearly two years ago, and it hasn’t come off yet, and continues to be my most listened to album. Once you get it, it will probably be the same.