The magnificence of the purest talent – review of Warfarer’s debut album “A Tale Beyond the Pale”

Just when I thought nothing else worthwhile would be released this year, here’s a squad of Finns about to prove me wrong. Dear readers, it’s my uttermost pleasure to introduce you to Warfarer, a melodic death folk metal band about to release their debut record “A Tale Beyond the Pale”.

Talent is, more often than not, hidden right in front of our very eyes, and that is exactly the case with this band. I can’t even begin to tell you how majestic, how splendid, how grandiose this album sounds. Each track is a triumph of metal (“March Through the Endless Snow“), force (“Bereaver“) and solemnity (“Heir Uncrowned“) that is bound to glue you from start to finish. The atmospheres this group is able to create can give the bigger bands a good run for their money.

From the powerful vocals of Kalle Puutio to the massive drum of Julius Lehtonen to everything in between, Warfarer are on the perfect pact to be the next big Finnish sensation in melodic death metal. The only flaw I’m finding in this album is that Miranda Sydänmäki’s bass is relatively hidden in the mix. But if I can forgive Wintersun for this, I certainly can forgive Warfarer too!

Their melodies are refined and exciting; the production, mixing and mastering are wonderfully done, and their song structures are varied and elegant. With records like this, it’s a very easy job for me because almost everything ticks all the boxes of my liking and my personal taste, other than the obvious standard that this genre demands.

I know that technically, it’s not in their genre description, but I think that they also incorporate some elements of symphonic metal rather than folk metal. If you know me, I will definitely not complain about this; I will praise them for using them! And even though they blend various influences, they don’t seem to do so rashly. Everything serves its purpose, and nothing is left to chance.

To be able to deliver such an extraordinary record for the debut, I am expecting great things from Warfarer. This is a band that must be carefully watched: I can’t get enough of their music, and this is something I can’t say for all the albums that I review. Long live Warfarer!

Tracklist:

1. Heir Uncrowned
2. As the Portents Foretold
3. Brotherslayer
4. Bereaver
5. Betrayer
6. In the Gravelight
7. March Through the Endless Snow
8. The Gates to Realms Beyond