Falconer - AMONG BEGGARS AND THIEVES

\r\nThis Swedish band, which was established by ex-Mithotyn’s guitarist Stefan Weinerhall, started back in 1999 as a Mithotyn-like but, with clean vocals, project. Since 2001 they have published six cds (including this), which makes them a very productive band,with almost one release per year! Falconer brings in mind classic European Power Metal Bands such as Helloween (especially in the aspect of music) , mixed with folkish Blind Guardian elements. As a subjective and personal opinion I could tell that they remind my of early Rhapsody in some moments,too. In "Among Beggars And Thieves" you can find galloping rythms,fast guitar riffing, folk melodies and some catchy choruses. If you are looking for typical Power Metal, high pitched vocal, you are searching in the wrong place. Mathias Blad has a very good, melodic, voice and his singing is more emotional, than powerful and sometimes with an epic mood. The guitar riffing is typical ispired by the previously mentioned bands, with some "Malmsteen-ish" aspect at times. The rythm section is nothing special, but it serves its purpose with good performing, but predictable ideas. As highlights I would pick the following ones: "Man Of The Hour" which is a "rock-ing" song with a beautiful chorus, "Mountain Men" with the folk element to dominate, "Pale light Of Silver Moon" with its Yngwie’s riffing, double guitars (Iron Maiden style) and catchy chorus and "Dreams And Pyres".This last one, is a great composition which starts calmly and becomes an almost theatrical, epic/power dynamite, with the use of female vocals, to support the male ones. Reaching the end, my main objection is the poor (to bad) sound on the guitars, excluding the solo ones. The production sounds "narrow" to my ears,which is a pity, because the whole cd is a very good effort and with the proper sound it would be realy bombastic. Power Metal fans will appreciate it, notwithstanding my previous comment and I would deffinately recommend
\r\n"Among Beggars And Thieves" to them.\r\n

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\r\nJohny "L.O.V.E. Machine" Litinakis\r\n

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