 
Sword’s Song
2003
CD
Napalm Records
Michael Cunningham
2 December 2003 dark metal | The second full length CD from this Finnish metal project delves deeper into Tolkien territory than that of their first CD entitled, "Where the shadows lie". Enveloped in a style commonly referred to as ‘Black Metal’ Battlelore discards that particular genre’s forays into iconoclastic outbursts and demonic aesthetics. Rather one finds a polished work that offers an alternative to the flood of scores that lilt with cinematic formulae. The CD cover uses Ted Nasmith’s ‘The Slaying of Glaurung’ which, coupled with a sylvan border, does not cry out ‘Tolkien related’ with any immediacy and this, I feel, is a good indictment that the work is not merely another member of an already overcrowded bandwagon.
The title, "Sword’s Song" is in itself an Old Norse kenning for battle and this presents an adequate definition for the corpus of works found on the CD that, collectively, evoke the strife which etched itself Middle Earth’s histories. The first track, ‘Sons of Riddermark’ is a good choice to open the CD with. Here one is exposed to the vocal nuances of Patrik Mennander who provides the ‘rough’ (growled vocals inherent to the Black Metal genre but here distinguishable) and ‘clean’ vocals (without the growls). Kaisa Jo uhki who contributes a feminine aspect to the music accompanies Mennander. Often, with this genre, such a marriage seldom endears itself to the work but herein it is perfectly balanced and performed in such a manner that embellishes the music and adds theatrical flare to the lyrics.
Battlelore’s muscularity is never in question. Powerchords thunder and, while driving many of the tracks, allow other instruments such as synthesizer and flute passage. The lyrics themselves are well conceived and developed betraying fervent poring over the Professor’s works. Many vistas of Middle Earth under the thunder of a great eagle’s wings are envisioned. From the domain of shape-shifters, the taverns of Umbar then sweeping down through the bowels of Khazad-dûm before reaching upwards again to the bright pennants of Gondolin. The latter found on, ‘Starlight Kingdom’, and never named as such within the lyrics, evinces the fact that Battlelore are not lazily riding the wake of visual economics provided by Jackson. The track, ‘Dragonslayer’ and ‘The War of Wrath’ also, I feel, underscore a, no doubt, fan-tinged journey into the ages of Middle Earth.
While the denizens of Battlelore are more than familiar with the Black Metal stable "Sword’s Song" possesses a stunning production and musicianship that remains above the tempests of raging three chord pieces. Advocates of this genre are rewarded with a powerful, melodious and confident work that, while not shunning its musical roots, allows them to draw from new springs. I also found the Finnish background of the artists a captivating link with the Professor’s appreciation of the Kalevala. A final note is that the artists took the advantage to design and garb themselves as varying peoples of Middle Earth. A rather delectable Sindarin looking elf and an interesting interpretation of an Ent are to be found in the photos within the CD booklet. This is a worthwhile opportunity to explore just how far the ripples of the Professor’s cornerstone extend
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