Eluveitie - 'Everything Remains (As It Never Was)'

With last year's Evocation I: The Arcane Dominion, Eluveitie changed things up with a mostly acoustic album heavily accentuating folk instruments. With Everything Remains (As It Never Was), the Swiss band returns to their usual style of folk metal blended with melodic death.

The electric guitars are back, with thick riffs propelling Everything Remains (As It Never Was). Flutes, violins, bagpipes and other folk instruments accent the music, providing contrast and atmosphere. After an opening interlude, the title track is heavy, yet melodic. There are some female melodic vocals in addition to Chrigel Glanzmann's harsh growls.

“The Essence Of The Ashes” is probably the catchiest song on the album, with a memorable chorus and a combination of melodic, gang and harsh vocals. “Isara” is an acoustic instrumental that slowly builds in intensity, leading into “Kingdom Come Undone,” one of the heavier tracks on the album. The female vocals return on “Quoth The Raven,” with Anna Murphy even slipping in an angry growl amidst the melodic singing.

The style and flow of Everything Remains (As It Never Was) is very similar to 2008's Slania, but even though Eluveitie hasn't made any dramatic musical progression, their execution is flawless, and this is a diverse and enjoyable album.

(released March 9, 2010 on Nuclear Blast Records)

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