Arafel - For Battles Once Fought (2011)

Just when I thought that folk metal didn’t really do it for me anymore; I came across the new album For Battles Once Fought from the Israelian band Arafel. Partly because the former singer from my used-to-be-number-one-band-Equilibrium, Helge Stang, became frontman of this band in 2008, I decided to give it a try. And I must say that I am happily surprised. Arafel was formed in 1997 in Israel by a few musicians who found their origins in the Soviet Union. The band started off as a black metal band, but on this new album they take a turn more towards death metal. A turn that was already noticeable in their former album, Through The Flame Of Ages. The folk influences are there, and especially the violin lines give this band a typical sound. For Battles Once Fought is also the first cd recording for the ‘new’ violin player Nasha, and she did a great job.

Though the folk elements may be there, the sound that this cd brings us is still hard and dark music.

From the first song (Sword’s Hymn) onwards, the battle theme is noticeable and will not leave us. After a short intro, the listener is blown away by Helge’s voice and the cd starts off really powerful. The first three songs form a nice trio together. The sound is the same and there’s a nice flow between those songs. 1380- The Confrontation adds some variation to the sound so far but stays in the same line. A musical intermezzo is what follows, namely The Last Breath Of Fire. A beautiful instrumental song halfway through the cd gives a little rest to us in this time of war and the battles that we are listening to.
After regaining our strength, we are prepared for Im Feld. This is the only song in German on the cd, and also one of my favourites. The last song, Death Of Archaic World, starts a bit awkward. Suddenly I’m listening to an industrial band! A bit later on in the song, I’m suddenly listening to what sounds as a traditional middle eastern sound.

This band, and especially this cd, can’t be bound to one specific style of metal. But to the fans of Equilibrium, and Helge, that like Turis Fratyr, I will recommend this cd. In fact, this sounds better than the ones Equilibrium produced after their first album.

Peaceful sounds are varied by powerful and hard sounds, which make a perfect combination while listening to For Battles Once Fought. And though on cd this sounds really great, I’m afraid that the long instrumental parts might be an ambush for live shows. But the only way to find that out is for me, and all of you, to go see Arafel during the Paganfest 2011 tour in which they will contribute.

A lot of people like cheese, as I do. My personal favorite is Provolone, cut in circular slices, combined with some Salami maybe, roll it up; it becomes a great snack. However, many metal fans, do not like it in their music…Melodic Black Metal with Folk influence has always been a style so roughly critiqued and passed up, never given a proper footing, and never taken seriously, it is hard to distinguish good bands from bad ones. The amount of 'cheesey' bands out there that over do this style to the point of mockery is astounding, and like I said, it's hard to pick out the good ones.

When I say that, what I mean is 'cheesey' metal is the type that is more along the lines of a guilty pleasure. With bands like Equilibrium, Korpiklaani, Eluveitie and many others are so outlandishly cheesey and catchy….that they are good. Yes, I said that right. Arafel is now a band that can brandish that style and be met with respect, rather then with cheeky smirks and laughter. At least, from where I am, and what I am listening too. Similar to those bands I mentioned, including Ensiferum, they play the fast paced, folk and viking induced battle metal you would expect from any of them. Not to say a carbon copy cat of said bands, they seem to go further into the realm of Folk Metal to produce a much darker and furious sound then the likes of 'happy metalers' such as Equilibrium would create.

That's where it actually gets interesting though. Arafel added to their ranks, for this new album, the former singer of Equilibrium, Helge Stang, to fill the epic vocal role. However the two bands do sound completely different when all is said and done. Like I said, Arafel forgo the happy and 'Irish jig' type feeling for a more epic viking incursion, overflowing with unique and powerful riffs and outstandingly technical musicianship and drumming. Seriously, give this a try and you will not be disappointed. So many ideas are flowing around this release, its going to be interesting to see where they take their direction in future albums. Right now, so many styles are present, the only real genre you could toss this into is a made up one. So ill try my best here….
Technical Melodic Blackened Progressive-Folkcore Death Metal (hmmmmm….)