Reader of the Ruins: Rapture
Reviewed by: Georgina Strilakos
Rating: 8.0
Elvenking is back with a new work: Reader Of The Runes- Rapture.
Elvenking needs no introduction when it comes to power metal, so the band’s most recent work, Reader Of The Runes – Rapture, has already been anticipated for quite a while now.
One of the highlights of this release is the intro song “Rapture,” which highlights the band’s ability to set a very high bar in terms of energy and vibe right off the bat. With some of the group’s signature melodic lines and huge dynamics, the song is a very fierce introduction to the album.
The song “Covenant” is another powerful example of how the group managed to stay true to its pedigree while also expanding its reach with an open mindset, including folk-inspired elements and ambient textures, especially in the intro. “An Autumn Reverie” is yet another excellent moment in this remarkable new work. It shows that there is a different side to the band, and it signals Elvenking‘s unwillingness to rest on its proverbial laurels. The song expertly combines heavy and fast metal riffage with fiddles and other traditional sounds.
These are only some examples of what people can expect from this album, which is everything you would expect from a power / epic metal release and more! Reader Of The Runes – Rapture shows that Elvenking keeps pushing the envelope, bringing more weight to each member’s contribution and creativity. The tone of the album is pristine and polished. At the same time, the songs are still as powerful and organic as it gets, bringing extra depth to the mix and highlighting the humanity behind the performances rather than burying everything under aseptic studio trickery. The production quality of this release is outstanding, as it really highlights the natural dynamics of the musicians while retaining a truly full and impactful overall tone.
At times “old-school” and raw, at others modern and focused, this record truly has a lot to offer. It is the kind of album that will please longtime fans of Elvenking while also appealing to new listeners outside the boundaries of this genre.
With this release, Elvenking set out to stay true to its roots while simultaneously taking its legacy forward in terms of carving its unique creative path.