The one thing about Metal that never ceases to amaze me is the sheer diversity of the subgenres it contains; and even then, it's certainly not everyday that you get to hear about a Folkcore band. Enter ITHILIEN, a Belgian Folkcore band. Having released their sophomore full-length album "Shaping the Soul" earlier this year, ITHLIEN are back, four years after their debut "From Ashes to the Frozen Land".

Featuring 10 songs that span over three quarters of an hour, "Shaping the Soul" starts off on a Folky note, with a crashing thunder heralding the oncoming storm of music. Typical Folk melodies, with a distinct ELUVEITIE sound to them, are interspersed with more Core-like sections, all the way from the chunkier bass-lines to the yapped vocals. Melodic Death Metal aspects also come to the fore, particularly in songs such as on the eponymous "Shaping the Soul", a whirlwind of a melody whose frantic pace sweeps you away. Perhaps my favourite song on this album is "Walk Away", in which a very subtle oriental hint combines with a slower pace, adding a keening and mournful quality to the music. After the emotion of this song, "If Only" feels rather hollow, and filler-like. The instrumental interlude "Emma" at the apex of the album gives the listener a short breather before being launched into what quite frankly is pretty much just more of the same. The second half of the album sounds much like the first, perhaps with a few exceptions, such as the slower "Hopeless".

What I really loved is how the band changed tempo within the songs, keeping the listener captivated. The production is also crystal clear, with a good mix that ensures that no instrument is too far in the fore. However, one gripe I have with this album is the vocals. In Folk music, vocals are typically used to help lend melody to the instruments, covering a wide range. However, in ITHILIEN's music, the vocals have practically no range in most songs, adding a monotonous yapping blanket over almost everything, particularly in the first few songs. I get that this is part of the Core aspect, however, I find that it detracts from what could have otherwise shown not a small amount of potential. Yet there are a few exceptions to this, such as the title track or in "Hopeless", in which a slightly more varied vocal part helps to add to the atmosphere of the album, leaving me with the hopes that ITHILIEN may address this in the future. The songwriting is also kept fairly standard throughout, following similar formulas from one song to the next. Almost each song works well on its own, however the lack in variation is song structure throughout the album does give it a somewhat repetitive feel. Overall, "Shaping the Soul" may not blow you away, but if a cross between Core and Folk with a healthy dose of MeloDeath thrown in piques your interest, then you may as well give it a spin.