A very interesting take on power metal here, with present-day lyrical content and mean, dirty riffs (that one on “Lament of a Minstrel” is one that got away from Tony Iommi). Hard to really pinpoint what metal subgenre to classify these guys with, and that’s a good sign. They don’t look like power metal guys, there’s no mug-hoisting sing-alongs, but there’s a power metal ethic to it (check out that galloping riff on “For Life and Liberty”), albeit a modern one, but they aren’t quite as modern as, say, Nevermore. I don’t know how to label them (again, a good thing), but I know I like what I hear. Opener “Decadence of Dignity” is catchy as hell, and singer Matthias Blad has a great voice, and a firm grasp of the English language and enunciation, which does nothing but work in his favor. Guitarist Stefan Weinerhall is flashy without being a spotlight kid, his solos smooth and tasteful, his acoustic breaks clean and lovely, his riffs powerful and commanding. With all the experimentation going on here (did I mention the flute-powered Tull-style parts?), I’d say there’s a slight progressive element to Falconer’s music. There is the occasional flash of power metal cheesiness, but overall, this is a strong effort from a familiar-sounding yet strangely unique band. I’m not sure of their modus operandi, but they’ve got my attention.
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