Formed in 1999, Battlelore released their debut CD in 2001, since when there have been (as is the wont of almost all metal acts) plenty of personnel changes, a couple more albums and a DVD. Evernight is the band’s fourth long player and I’ll wager, their best yet. Lushly produced by Miitri Aaltonen and smothered in luxurious keyboards courtesy of the enigmatically Maria this is a high quality effort in many ways. The band admit to being more, “bombastic, epic and heavier” than previously and by not reining themselves in they have finally begun to realise their undoubted potential. According to the band themselves, ”Evernight continues to remain loyal to the heritage of J.R.R. Tolkien but the band’s sound has evolved to deliver more atmosphere and an obscurer end result.” Make of that what you will. 

After many listens I have decided that the main problem with Evernight is a lack of memorable songs. As noted above, this is a fine sounding record, it’s well sung and well played but it just lacks a certain something and that something is a song that is different from the rest, be it because of a great riff, a sensational hook or a wonderful melody. There’s just nothing that stands out. 

I’m sat here looking at the song titles as I speak none of them stand out despite that fact that I’ve listened to this album at least once a day (often more) for the last fortnight. House of Heroes? Nope, couldn’t sing it. Longing Horizon? Ditto. The Cloak and the Dagger? I’ve got Cradle of Filth in my mind but that may just be because of the song’s title. 

It could well be that this is one of those records that work well as a whole and needs to be listened to as such. The ambience of Evernight is such that it is very difficult to listen to individual songs in isolation and the similarities between the songs make it equally difficult to select any tracks that stand out. 

One thing that Battlelore cannot be accused of though, is selling out especially as they have stuck to their guns over the grunt/clean vocal issue when other bands have not. This is to be applauded although at times I feel that Kaisa Jouhki’s vocals seem a little flat and/or weak 

No doubt those of you out there who are already fans of the band will find much here to enjoy, but perhaps there is nothing here to tempt those looking to spend their hard earned cash on something new to them.

Let us know your views on 'Evernight'

Track Listing

House of Heroes
Ocean’s Elysium
Summon the Wolves
We Are the Legions
Into the New World
Longing Horizon
Mask of Flies
The Cloak and the Dagger
Beneath the Waves

 Line Up

Kaisa Jouhki - vocals
Tomi Mykkänen - vocals
Jussi Rautio - guitars
Jyri Vahvanen - guitars
Timo Honkanen - bass
Henri Vahvanen - drums
Maria – keyboards