Eluveitie - Ategnatos

Members came, members went. The soul of Eluveitie, though, the very essence of this pagan congregation remained undisturbed. Now, in the dawn of 2019, they look back upon an impressive seven studio albums, the last of which climbed to the very top of the Swiss album charts and also made a remarkable entry at No. 6 in Germany, as well as countless tours around the globe and headliner slots at the biggest Metal festivals. Still, this was only the beginning. A 13-year-overture for the things about to come. The sky is darkening, the ravens fly. Finally, everything is prepared for the colossal voice of the ages that is “Ategnatos”.

Moving on to the album, like previous releases of Eluveitie, the album opens up with narration with a movie-like score of a folk build up, grabbing the attention of my ears for something big heading coming it’s way. The true sounds of “Ategnatos” reveals itself with big entrance of metal and folk intertwining as the flute and the Gaulish chants bring in the rustic l atmosphere. The song picks up the pace with fast-paced of the electrifying guitar and the hard-beating tight drums while being complimented with “beauty and the beast” vocals. Following the first track, “Ancus” is a spoken Latin interlude to the next song “Deathwalker”, that begins with a solo by the proven successor of Anna Murphy, Michalina Malisz, who’s hurdy-gurdy acts as the main driving force in the song that brings in barrage of crunchy rhythm guitar and tight pummeling drums with 'beauty and the beast' vocals by our favorite folk duo in the quick-paced melodic chorus, while “Black Water Dawn” has a more bouncy feel to it, like a jig you might say.

“A Cry in the Wilderness” hits you like a stampede as Ackermann's awesome drumming it running you over. A headbanging hit you can say for this track as band’s pummels you with heavy talents onto you. “The Raven Hill” is a big reminiscent to their popular song “Inis Mona” due it’s similar infectious melody, but with more of the heavier works. “The Silvern Glow” is a instrumental that serves as the bridge to the previous and following track. As the tin whistle prances through the song along the acoustic strings, I can't help myself picturing folkloric creatures coming out to dance in a forest as we head into “Ambiramus”. Considered to be more of a “poppy” song in the album, but it’s damn well catchy with Matteo Sisti taking the lead with a whistle solo and with beautiful vocal melodies.

At this part of the part of the review, it’s safe to group the following songs of the second half of the album; “Mine is the Fury”, “Worship” and “Rebirth”. The heavy-hitting tracks of melodic death metal brutality at epic folk proportions as the thunderous grows intensifies that dark energy, while “The Slumber” and “Breathe” tones down the music with more of their lighter side in music performance as Erni shines her way through these two songs with her sublime singing and impressive belts.

“Trinoxtion” is another introduction track, opening to the sounds of rain until transitioning “Three Fold Death” which has this back and forth theme between the two vocalist; folk with Fabienne and death metal with Chrigel, and the final track “Eclipse” is a simple but raw Celtic closing track to the new album.