ELVENKING hailing from Sacile, Italy were formed in 1997. The melodic Power Metal and Folk Metal outfit have an impressive discography with their 12^th full-length album being released. “Reader Of The Runes – Luna” has a length of almost 55 minutes, and it was released via German label Reaper Entertainment, which has many melodic Death, Power, and Heavy Metal bands among their current roster. The album starts strong with “Season Of The Owl”. It is a fast track with powerful and tight guitar riffing, plenty of double-bass drumming, and traditional Folk melodies. The vocals are clean and vary around the medium end of the vocal range. There are a few twists and turns in tempo and rhythm, where the chorus parts are played at a measured tempo with epic melodies. There is a very short break with a contributing lead guitar solo added. “Season Of The Owl” is a very strong start to the album. “Luna” is a mid-tempo track with catchy melodies, a simple verse/bridge/chorus structure, and anthemic choruses. The vocals use higher notes compared to the opening track and the vocals follow the melodies. The break delivers another contributing lead guitar solo. Altogether, “Luna” is an easy-to-listen track. “Gone Epoch” starts with an extended instrumental part driven by the Folk melodies. The track transitions into a mid-tempo verse part, led by strong basslines and the vocals. The chorus parts have catchy melodies and are almost sing-alongs. The highlight is the break with the solos and their Folk inspired melodic framework. “Gone Epoch” has been released as video, and the YouTube link is provided below.

The first part of “Stormcarrier” is a fast Power Metal piece with tight guitar riffing supported by the double-bass drumming. The verse parts slow down the tempo with many Folk vibes in the melodies. The vocals are a mixture of growls, varying around the medium end of the guttural range, and clean vocals for the chorus parts. The choruses increase pace and are Power Metal inspired. Highlight of the track is the break with the violin solo followed by the lead guitar solo. “Starbath” is introduced by tight guitar riffing at a measured tempo. It is a melodic track with some Folk vibes, where the vocals follow the melodies. The chorus melodies have some epic traces, they are anthemic, and sing-alongs. The extended break is once again an excellent collaboration between the violin and the lead guitars. “Starbath” is surely one of the best songs of the album. “On These Haunted Shores” is a mid-tempo song with powerful guitar riffing and catchy melodies. The vocals utilize once again a few higher notes, and the vocals typically follow the melodies. For the chorus parts, the tempo changes towards a measured tempo with the Folk vibes being at full swing. The break introduces another contributing lead guitar solo. “The Ghosting” starts with a guitar-driven intro at a measured tempo, introducing the main melody of the track. The verse part is led by thunderous guitar riffs, strong basslines and the vocals. The chorus parts are again anthemic and driven by the catchy melodies. The break maintains the tempo but switches the rhythms. It includes a short but contributing lead guitar solo.

“Throes Of Atonement” is introduced by tight Power Metal riffing accompanied by the double-bass drumming. The verse parts lean towards mid-tempo with the tight guitar riffing being continued. The melodies are catchy. The bridge adds a few Folk vibes, while the chorus parts slow down to a measured tempo and include epic melodies. The extended mid-tempo break leads to a cool lead guitar solo and is the highlight of the track. “The Weeping” is the darkest album track. Introduced by the guitars at a measured tempo, it is a delivery of grim melodies. The guitar riffing for the verse parts is powerful and accompanied by crushing basslines and the violin. The chorus parts are heavy with the vocals utilizing the full vocal range. The break maintains the tempo at the beginning, but for the extended lead guitar solo the pace goes towards mid-tempo.  “The Weeping” offers a much-needed change in sound, it is one of the heaviest album songs, and one of the ultimate album highlights. The album finishes with “Reader Of The Runes – Book II” and the journey starts with the acoustic guitars leading into the verse part. The chorus part starts with a distinct change in tempo and the tight Power Metal guitar riffing takes over alongside the double-bass drumming. It is back and forth between the fast Power Metal parts and the more epic parts at a measured tempo. The break continues in measured tempo but with thunderous and tight guitar riffing. It starts crushing and heavy, but switches towards a more melodic part leading into an extended lead guitar solo. The track has a couple of breaks and the one for a second lead guitar solo is played at breakneck speed. “Reader Of The Runes – Book II” has not only an impressive length of almost 11 minutes, but it is also the album highlight, and it was meant to be the album highlight. It is an excellent way to close the album.

ELVENKING deliver a very good Power Metal album. “Reader Of The Runes – Luna” is a very smart mixture of Power Metal and Folk Metal, with traditional Power Metal elements enriched by classical Folk Metal melodies. Many songs have catchy melodies and anthemic choruses. The songwriting is very mature, and the album is well produced. Fans of Power Metal and Folk Metal will love what they hear on “Reader Of The Runes – Luna” and the album is surely among the top quarter of the ELVENKING catalogue.