Kivimetsän Druidi: The Lost Captains

After a succession of demos and EPs, Finland's Kivimetsän Druidi released two albums through Century Media and made a reasonable impact with their heavy folk metal in the process. Six years however have passed since Betrayal, Injustice, Revenge, Kivimetsän Druidi now returning with an independently released three track effort. In many ways that may feel like a step back for a band who had a strong profile a few years ago, yet in terms of execution, it's much easier to feel that they are now doing things on their own terms. Stylistically, Eluviette are a strong touching point, although the different elements to be found on The Lost Captains maybe aren't blended quite so easily. Instead what you have across the title track, "Night Before Dark" and "Whispers Of The Wind" are a succession of passages where Kivimetsän Druidi show their various attributes.

The latter of those three tracks builds atmosphere through a riff based attack, spoken word sections adding a well handled theatric side, before Leeni-Marie (this is one of those infuriating bands who only want to namecheck everyone by their christian names…) adds operatic bursts over thundering kick drums. Elsewhere more obvious folk themes are applied, some more symphonic based ideas come to fruition and barking growled vocals from Joni set the tone. The different aspects do cross over in places, but in truth things can sometimes feel like a whirlwind tour of genres and musical approaches.

All three songs do still remain hugely engaging and rompingly good fun and while there's not a huge amount to set Kivimetsän Druidi apart from the many other bands utilising similar ideas, it's hard to suggest that they don't do them really well. It's good to see Kivimetsän Druidi return after a lay off that had many presuming they were no more and folk metal aficionados should definitely take heed.

Track Listing
1. The Lost Captains
2. Night Before the Dark
3. Whispers of the Wind

Added: September 10th 2016
Reviewer: Steven Reid
Score:
Related Link: Kivimetsän Druidi on facebook
Hits: 1131
Language: english

[ Printer Friendly Page ]
[ Send to a Friend ]