FABIENNE ERNI – Starveil – review – symphonic, folk metal

FABIENNE ERNI – Starveil – review
independent

Who’s that, then? I hear you ask. Och, ye know. Thon lassie fae Eluveitie and Illumishade, I reply. What with being a Scotsman, the only nation that speaks without an accent. This is usually followed by another “Who’s that, then?” because, frankly, I mix with the wrong sort of people.

But to those in the know, Ms Erni does folky things with folky metallers, Eluveitie, and proggy things with proggy metallers, Illumishade. And here she is with her first solo album. It’s definitely more the former than the latter, which suits me fine. Again, being one of those Celtic lads, I do like a bit of folk in metal.

Although, this is quite a diverse offering. It’s as likely to appeal to Auri fans as it is Nightwish fans, as a lot of it is ambient and acoustic in nature even when, superficially, it feels metal. The opening, word free, vocalising should tell you that. ‘Sky’s Breath’ is the first song proper and it’s an excellent introduction to the top notch album that follows, mixing the more ethereal moments with a chunky riff.

Ms Ernis prog side is represented in ‘Ritual’, which mixes up prog, metalcore and electronica into what is almost a power ballad, aided and abetted by the delightfully named Lena Scissorhands from Infected Rain. ‘Stone By Stone’ is one of my favourites leaning, as it does, more on the folk side, before hitting you with a poptacular chorus. However, the title track is the out and out winner for me. It’s where all the elements combine to gorgeous effect. And, yes, it does have a Celtic feel to it. Ah canny deny my genes!

There are a couple of tunes, mid-album, that pass by without too much of an impact, and I wouldn’t have complained if there were eleven songs instead of thirteen. But I grew up in a world of vinyl records, so that’s probably just the grumpy old man in me. Actually, if the brief, sub two minute, interludes weren’t here … However, it is the prerogative of the artiste to present their work as they see fit. So haud yer wheesht, auld yin.

Ooh! Let me have a quick rave about ‘Thalen Muron’ where Ms Erni goes all Heilung / Skald / Wardruna. It’s a stunner! More of that, please. As if there’s a follow-up round the corner. Fool. This is quite obviously a labour of love and Ms Erni is to be commended for going to the places she’s chosen to visit. The vocals are uniformly excellent, as is the backing, and this is a record I shall return to time and again.

What month is this? Doesn’t matter. It’s going to be scrabbling round my favourite albums of the year. Ms Ermi is on the internet, and has a shop where you can buy all manner of things, relating to her music.

If all has went to plan, there should be a video below, for your viewing and listening pleasure.