Okay, so I saw the term Epic Folk Metal and I started thinking about Korpiklaani, Ensiferum, and Arkona (Rus). I was pretty on the mark with Korpiklaani more than the others, since Mandragora Titania (formerly Mandragora Thuringia) has created a magnificent and fun as fuck album.

This isn’t their first album; they have three previous full-length albums, and I’ll be checking them out based on this release, it’s bonkers good.

From the get-go with the sublime intro “Incipit fabula” creates a swell build-up to what is to come. “Zinnsoldat” kicks off the album in earnest with a rollicking, incredibly fun Alestorm-ish track, the keyboards have a triumphant feeling that is awe-inspiring.

“Rotes Tuch” sees the band on a bit more of an Ensiferum battle-sized track, and it’s followed by my favorite track, “Sasuke” it ticks off all the boxes reminiscent of “Sahti” from Korpiklaani’s Noita album. “Meisterdieb” expands on the Korpiklaani vibes with another wave of triumphant riffs.

“Herr vom Riesenstein” has a Helloween meets Tuonela era Amorphis vibe that is infectious, and the ending riffs are fucking deadly. “Sieben” is a gorgeous tapestry of brutal and beautiful brought together in a rising chorus that’ll have your mind blown.

The other day I had a Finntroll moment and realized it was “Trollwettessen”, a fantastically fun track that I kept hitting play on, literally banging on the phone when the song ended. “Adaba” brings an Arkona “Yarilo” vibe, and it’s so goddamn catchy it should be illegal! Add to that some killer female vocals, and it just gleefully dances on your grave.

“Tamburan” starts off majestic, but once the 2:42 mark hits, it becomes a whole different song, raging, blasting, and a raging Pagan spirit that would make Eluviete blush. “Sand” burns with a crazy harmony that is part Egyptian, and I fucking love it. It soars along towards “Schnee” with it’s wings of power, it’s absolutely fucking epic and so is the album closer “Finis Fabulae”, a sublime Borknagar-ish piano-driven lull from the thunderstorm that has just been experienced. It ended, and I just let the album replay and allowed it to boost my spirits up.

At the end of the day In Fabulis is a veritable powerhouse of Pagan Folk Metal, a band that once again, I wish I had heard sooner than now, but it’s whatever. If you love any of the bands mentioned over the course of this review, then definitely give Mandragora Titania a listen. You won’t be sorry!

[Visit the band's website]

---

Comments