Elvenking - Heathenreel (2001)^{Release ID: 9750}

Six songs (The Regality Dance, White Willow, Pagan Purity, Skywards, Oakenshield and Seasonspeech) are among the best I've ever heard in Folk Metal.

If the other songs were as amazing as the six above, Heathenreel would be one of the easiest 5-stars I've ever given. But there are a few skippable tracks, which forces me to shave a half-star off. Even though I really don't want to because of how deeeep my love runs for the likes of "The Regality Dance" and "Seasonspeech".

Now, ehen I first heard Elvenking's vocalist, I wasn't sure if I liked his voice. At first, he almost sounded like a pop-punk singer. However, you quickly get used to it and come to love it. I now cannot imagine the band any other way and consider his voice one that truly captures the pagan spirit because when he sings you can truly tell how much passion and love he has for each word and note in the music. His voice, and the rest of the band's performances, sound so carefree and joyous, as if they're playing and skipping along in a vast green meadow.