Eluveitie is a Swiss folk metal/pagan metal band with a whopping 8 members. After releasing their debut CD on a small label a couple years ago they have been signed by Nuclear Blast and their latest release will have worldwide distribution.
Slania combines Celtic folk music with melodic death metal. Eluveitie uses many traditional instruments on the CD, including hurdygurdy, tin whistle, uilleann pipes, gaita, fiddle and Irish flute. The songs are mostly upbeat and raucous, but the guitars and harsh vocals give the music an edge.
Most of the vocals are death metal growls, but there are some female melodic vocals which are a nice change of pace. With so many instruments, there's a danger of overdoing things and becoming muddled, but Eluveitie manages to keep things very focused. A lot of hooks, plenty of punch, and the unique instruments make Slania an excellent folk metal CD.
(released March 11, 2008 on Nuclear Blast Records)
