Forged within the picturesque landscapes of regional New South Wales, I instantly fell in love with Stone Sovereign’s long awaited debut Folk-Metal album “Tales of Myth And Madness” which has only just been independently released and launched across the country with numerous live performances throughout the East Coast of Australia. I first discovered this 5 piece Folk Metal outfit over 3 years ago via an Aussie Folk Metal Compilation CD “Tales from the Southern Realm” back when the band first performed under the name “Tomes of Ruin” and I was very eager to hear how these Warriors of Folk Metal had evolved over the years. Needless to say, after intimately listening to this full length fantasy adventure filled with hooky vocal chants and interesting lead guitar work, I was far from disappointed.
Intrigued by the mystical and inviting artwork of a gloomy candlelit room, this easy listening 10 track album has been carefully crafted in such a way that listeners are guided through a journey filled with mythical kingdoms and bloody battles ranging from Aagen sea raiders rising up against the Archite Empire through to hair raising tales of great warriors embarking on risky and fateful adventures. The album begins with a chunky head banging track called “Heathen and The Half Breed” where the opening riff sets a scene of nightmares and betrayal as the narrator struggles to escape the headsman’s axe and survive within a cruel society filled with prejudice and murder.
As the album progresses, one is treated to well blended guitar work complimented by genuine sounding drums and epic vocal choruses filled with stories of chaos, war and destruction. The entire album is set at a steady tempo which gives a feeling that all the songs are connected into one story but there are also a few thrashier songs such as “Way of Fire” and “Stormstrider” which I imagine would go-off like a fire cracker when played live. I would also encourage listeners to check out the animated lyric video for the track “Across the Boiling Sea” which visually brings the song to life and paints the picture of setting sail across the waves.
My favourite song throughout the entire album is the very catchy “Last Drink Before Sunrise” which describes the thoughts and feelings of a seafaring raider and as it kicks off with a soft heart felt intro, you can sense strong influences from one of my favourite UK Folk Metal bands “Forefather” which put a big smile on my face and brought me closer to the entire album in general. The track is illustrated very well and you can easily slosh your drinking horns with your best friends while chanting these catchy lyrics over and over again.
This passionately written album is a must for any fans of Australian Folk Metal and I feel that Stone Sovereign are on the right path to releasing further and better future masterpieces. They are dedicated and hard-working artists who seem to really enjoy writing about fantasy themes and you can almost feel their enthusiasm shining throughout the album. I feel that there is a huge level of potential for this band should they continue their momentum and continue to push forward. For their first release, I highly rate the unique emotion and feeling behind the lyrics which are reinforced by solid song structures that are bound to keep you hooked and interested until the end.
It’s a real shame that I live on the other side of the country but I do hope that Stone Sovereign might one day bring their unique sound over to the West as I’m sure it would be well received. For fans of Forefather, Alestorm, Amon Amarth, Lagerstein or Turisas… This album is for you.
TRACKLIST
Heathen and the Half-Breed
The Cradle of Life
Isle of Serpents
The Way of Fire
Children of the Old Gods
Across the Boiling Sea
A Binding of Sea & Stone
Last Drink Before Sunrise
Stormstrider
The Spear of Arostoft