The Italian folk-metal band ELVENKING create a fusion of power metal and spirited folklore and take influences from dnce music, pop, punk, and progressive thrash outfits such as Skyclad.
On April 28th, 2023, Elvenking will continue their epic quest with “Reader Of The Runes – Rapture”, the sequel to their 2019 blockbuster and tenth studio album “Reader of the Runes – Divination”, the concept album that featured eight characters whose destiny would be shaped by the Reader of the Runes.
Elvenking aims to set sail to horizons more remote than ever before, courageously taking the globe by storm with their completely unique approach to heavy, forceful music, by conjuring the essence of heavy, pagan, folk, and melodic death metal.
The path in front is clear […] we inherently KNOW what is possible and what is not…
Elvenking
“We feel stronger than ever”, frontman and vocalist Damna states. “I believe after so many years we have gained full confidence in what we do and especially in what we want to achieve. The path in front of us is clear. We have left behind all fancies, inexperience and immaturity and we know inherently what is possible and what is not.”
The second instalment of their monumental “Reader of the Runes” trilogy, bears witness to the evolution of the band: The creative chemistry, consisting of Damna (vocals), Aydan (guitars), Headmatt (guitars), Lethien (violin), Jakob (bass) and Symohn (drums) has become an almost tangible thing, a testimony to their collective willpower.
“The chemistry inside the band is perfect at the moment,” Aydan suggests. “Everyone in the band is perfectly aware of his role inside a complex mechanism such as Elvenking. This is fundamental in order to avoid cracks in the gear to proceed under full sail.”
With the return of drummer Symohn and the addition of touring guitarist Headmatt as permanent member, this iteration of Elvenking may be the best lineup thus far, combining boundless passion with discipline and skill.
Written between 2020 and 2022, and recorded between May and October 2022 by the band and with renowned producer Scott Atkins (Cradle of Filth, Behemoth) who also took over mixing and mastering duties, Elvenking controlled every tiny step of the new release.
Aydan explains: “I believe we have a crystal clear vision of what we need for each album in terms of production, sound, arrangements and performances. We are so focused on our music that I’m pretty sure we can be the only ones to manage the whole process to get the result we have in our minds.”
Opening song “Rapture”, an epic tale with magnificent orchestration, dramatic twists, and crushing guitars, also serves as the perfect start to this stormy, fantastic adventure.
“After three years of absence we decided to give our fans a diverse taste of the album,” Aydan explains the choice. “This is one of the longest tracks and we feel it has all the epicness, the tragic nature and most of the nuances that the album incorporates in its entire length.”
Album set for release April 28, 2023 via AFM Records. Album pre-sale is available: https://bfan.link/reader-of-the-runes-rapture
Check-out Bride of Night (below) feating the Swedish/South African doom-metal vocalist Heike Langhans!