Metal maniacs, rejoice! I am proud to present to you: ELUVEITIE; signed via Nuclear Blast Records, hailing from Switzerland grounds - performing Folk/Melodic Death Metal, on their sophomoric re-release: "Slania" as part of their 10 year celebration (released 16th, November 2018).

Since formation in 2002; the band in question have 7 albums in their entire discography so far, I am introduced to their sophomore album entitled: "Slania". 19 tracks ranging at around 72:38; ELUVEITIE arrange an intricately designed formula of heavy-hitting Folk/Melodic Death Metal developments. The 1:49s introduction: "Samon" begins the record; already amalgamating boistrously bouncy characteristics of creatively forged flamboyancy, fabricating diversely dynamic diligence in which dominates with distinctive detail of musical mayhem. "Primordial Breath" really starts things off; conveying hardened aesthetics of adroitly composed contrast, brilliantly converging atmospheric folk harmonies with bludgeoning melodious and meticulous Death Metal deadliness - hastily hostile inventivity & concrete grit.

Consisting of a multiple magnitude of veteran musicians; performing a vast variety of orchestral vehemence, including Chrigel Glanzmann on vocals (lead); guitars, (acoustic) mandolin; uilleann pipes, gaita, bodhrán & whistles. Songs like "Inis Mona" demonstrate profusely robust pipes of persistent savagery; distributing complexly constructive craftsmanship, establishing hardened hymns in which frolick with chaotic gallops of fiercely organic substances – relentlessly progressive and technical while showcasing solid slabs of uniquely unprecedented stability. The subtle revolution of vastly versatile ultilities here is consistently contrasted with distinguished implementation of interesting elements, embodying crunchy culminations of dextrous guitar efficency from duo Sime Koch (lead) & Ivo Henzi (rhythm) in epic songs like "Grey Sublime Archon" & "Anagantios".

The thing that bothers me is the sub-genre of choice; I mostly hear hardcore influenced rather than the aforementioned Melodic Death Metal, still... it is all brilliantly converged with infectious injections of fused machinations that give a dose of groovy efficiencies with catchy detail and tenacious ramifications. Integrating more original instruments like the Irish flute; tin whistle, and bagpipes - secondary artist Sevan Kirdner portrays more stunning expertise in songs like "Bloodstained Ground". Rafi Kirdner on the audible bass contributes elegantly composed rhythms that thunder with riveting specialities, thumping with pummelling prompts and rambunctious remedies that electrify with finesse - "The Somber Lay" layers conceptually primitive maliciousness, as the borderline foundation here executes with profoundly quality variety.

Powerhouse drummer: Merlin Sutter batters and hammers his steel with smashing salubriousness; songs like "Slania's Song" establishes female-fronted vocalization, still subjugated with sinister stomps of stampeding  guttural growls & meaty weights of sonically speedy seamlessness. Meri Tadić attributing on the fiddle & vocals as well, elegantly fulfilling operatic singing with stunning performances that will surely shock your soul - also embellishes on more experimental enlightenments. "Giamonios" amplifies with adrenaline; captivation, a fluidly polished sound production and rapidly swift nimbleness. Manifested with sophisticated velocity, prodegiously monstrous transformations and a stupendous ensemble of effectively efficacious entertainment - "Tarvos" entails that segregation with remarkable results.

Anna Murphy on vocals also compiles intensely immense cords that charges with exquisite grace, "Calling The Rain" attaches blistering barrages of frenzied firepower and an excelling spectrum of supremely rectical ultimatums that radically fuel with finesse. "Elembivos" overall concludes disc 1; exceeding my expectations vigourously, while the bonus disc 2 delivers acoustic and demo versions of previous tracks, and a really short 6 minute interview with Slania...that was a nice little treat.

Bottom line; "Slania" is my first discovery of ELUVEITIE, and it was long overdue...better late than never though - as they certainly outdone themselves with this one. While I personally found the sub-genres to be a juxtaposition of Folk and Hardcore with hint of Death Metal, this was still a fascinating listen and should not be overlooked - a worthy release of celebrating 10 years of this act.<