Elvenking - "Reader of the Runes - Rapture"

Better than I remembered

I was first introduced to Elvenking in a zipped folder of ripped metal albums that a friend in high school gave me. He had discovered the glory of Metal, and wanted to convert me, as well.

Spoiler: he succeeded.

Compared to the other acts in that folder, Elvenking seemed much less polished. Like, they weren’t bad, but the band felt disjointed, not fully in sync. And, at the time, I’m sure that was the case - they’d only had two albums out back then, and were junior to acts like Blind Guardian, Iced Earth, Dream Theater, and Sonata Arctica.

Long story short: I haven’t kept up with Elvenking over the intervening (almost) two decades. Now, “Reader of the Runes - Rapture” is their 11th studio album, and they’re much more seasoned, and the quality of their music has come a long way.

I’m legitimately surprised at how good the band is now. There are still a few hitches here and there, but the band is much more in-sync and polished, so it really just comes off as sounding raw and unproduced, which has a certain level of charm. Especially because the band goes really hard in some sections. And over the course of 11 tracks spanning 54 minutes, there isn’t any particular song or part of a song that I actively dislike; it’s really solid throughout, though I think that “Bride of Night” and “Red Mist” are the clear standouts. The latter’s emotional chorus takes the edge, as there’s something pure and gripping in the refrain: “Blood for all the tears I shed since her demise”. It’s a great ballad/anthem hybrid.

Given the similar genric positioning of Elvenking to Kamelot, I’m currently faced with the bewildering possibility that Elvenking has beaten one of my favorite bands straight-up, album-to-album.

Elvenking gets Teal for now. I’m digging it, but need more time to fully digest.

Rating: Teal Green