As I wrote in my 2024 Yearlist, I still meant to write a review about this album, but it never came to it. So, I kicked my own butt, and here we are.
Over half a year ago already, on September 20th, 2024, Theigns and Thralls released their second full length ‘The Keep and The Spire’. After being impressed by their first release ‘Theigns and Thralls’ which you can read about here, I was very anticipated when the promo arrived in my email box early September. But then life happened, and it stayed there for about two weeks until I could give it a proper listen.
When I finally found the time, it felt that the band continued where they had left us a little over two years ago. Though they are labeled as ‘folk metal’, I don’t necessarily agree with this and would rather say they are a ‘folk rock’ band.
With an overdose of ‘folk metal’ bands nowadays, Theigns & Thralls really feels like a relief and a light breeze of air.They don’t try to be the folkiest of the folkiest, with too many up-tempo guitars and pointless added flutes, bagpipes and violins, but they stick to the roots of the Folk genre, with respect to the instruments and their contribution to the songs. It’s not a big surprise when you know that the mastermind of the band is Kevin Ridley (known from one of the oldest and longest existing folk rock/metal bands, Skyclad). In general, ‘The Keep and The Spire’ is a bit heavier than its predecessor, ‘Theigns & Thralls’. Theme wise the album covers many historical Saxon events throughout the centuries, and there is a nice balance between, what I would call, storytelling and musical interludes. Because of those, the band manages to fit 12 songs in a 40-minute album.
The songs to mention are first ‘The Battle of Maldon’. This is one of the heavier, yet still mid-tempo songs. It’s the guitar play that stands out in this song. During ‘Pagan Song’, the guitars (including a proper guitar solo) heavy up in the second half of the song as well, and this is one of the few moments I would consider the band being a ‘Folk Metal’ band. Last song on the album, ‘The Mermaid Tavern’ also needs to be mentioned for being one of the faster and heavier songs on the album. The accordion is a nice addition to the sound as well.
‘The Grape and the Grain’ is the only typical song you might expect on a ‘folk metal album’, since this is the up-tempo drinking song on the album, as ‘Drinking’ was on the previous one. This will be the perfect hit to play live, but it’s on the edge of being a bit cheesy. Another song that will be a great sing-along is the up tempo ‘The Harrowing’, which sounds a lot more cheerful than its theme.
Overall, Theigns & Thralls delivers a proper folk metal/rock (you decide what you think of it) album. Like said, it’s a relief to listen to an album that is plain and straightforward in its folk sound, and doesn’t try to bring every folky thing possible to the table, but is just good for what it is.
Rating: 8.5/10
Releasedate: September 20th 2024
Recordlabel: Rockshots Records
Tracklist
1. Overture
2. A Single Beam
3. Fight And Lay Your Bones
4. The Battle of Maldon
5. Aftermath
6. Pagan Song
7. The Harrowing
8. The Seeker
9. Now My Life Is Done
10. The Grape And The Grain
11. Interrogativa Cantilena
12. The Mermaid Tavern
