Sort-Of Music Review [July ’21]

Why yes, this month’s Sort-Of Music Review is Dwarven Folk Metal and no, that is not a typo, nor did I have a stroke writing that. In fact, I am surprised it has taken this long for Dwarven Folk Metal to even become a thing. I mean when you say it out loud, of course Dwarves would make metal. Drums, horns, and a healthy dose of pure epicness… Yes! You can totally see how it all comes together now.

Normally, you’d have to dig pretty deep to find Dwarven Folk Metal, but thanks to me and my love for all things folk metal, it has now been surfaced for you to enjoy too. And the fact that I get to make that pun is even better!

Wind Rose has taken their love of high fantasy along with Tolkienesque dwarves and smelted it with some amazing Italian Power Metal. Which is also its own genre, in case you’re wondering. What we have here then is tongue-in-the-cheek absolute awesomeness. Massive choruses, songs about mining, threats against elves, and just a generally great time. It certainly does make you want to raise your horn of mead and join in the utter destruction of drunken dwarves.

So now that we are certain Dwarven Folk Metal is real, is awesome and is here to stay, let us dig into the latest offering from Wind Rose. Right off the bat, this band is for dwarves by dwarves. If you don’t dig the idea of seeing Moria, crafting Mithril or waking a Balrog, then this is not for you. But give it a chance! You may just awaken the dwarf within.

Wintersaga came out in 2019, and has been in my collection for almost that long. So why now? What has made this album stand out enough that its now the first music review in roughly 6 months?
I’d say it has to do with being in yet another lockdown. Melbourne is now in its fifth lockdown and third one since we arrived. There is just something about being couped up in a small apartment that makes you really crave the outdoors and adventure. Or even a bit of danger. And what better danger than dwarves (speaking as a human myself).

Wintersaga lets you know what you’re in for right away. Sounds of hammers, forging, anvils and what could even be a dwarven work song welcome you to the adventure you’re about to go on. Right away you’re invested into this album as it just sounds epic. It sounds like adventure. We’re all Bilbo Baggins, running out of The Shire to join Gandalf and the dwarven party. For an intro song, it punches far above its weight.

Then you’re right into the title track – Wintersaga. A track describing the power of a descending winter over the land. And boy does this song deliver. It encapsulates everything great about power metal, from great story telling, to incredibly orchestrated and complex music. Double bass kicks in when you expect it to. Vocal harmonies kick in, giving the impression that the hall is filled with dwarves. Definitely one of the best songs on this album in my opinion. And if you disagree, then you’re welcome to take it up with a dwarf…

Drunken Dwarves is what you’d get if dwarves had a party rock anthem. Amongst the silliness of it all, you have yourself a great drinking song. As long as you’re not an elf of course! In that case, you’re threatened with the sharp side of an axe. You really want to grab a mug of mead and join in on the chaos in the tavern. But then, it also gets a bit mellow at some points. Probably to allow you to catch up with your drink!

Now their most popular song is probably because of the mixture between amazing epic music, a catchy tune and really, really stupid lyrics. I mean it’s called Diggy Diggy Hole for crying out loud! When a band can make a stupid song sound like it’s one of life’s greatest adventures, you know you have some talent on your hands. This song has no rights to be as good as it is. And yet, I find myself searching for my pickaxe, a real axe, and a tankard all the same.

Born underground, grown inside a rocky womb
The earth is our cradle, the mountain shall become our tomb
Face us on the battlefield, you will meet your doom
We do not fear what lies beneath, we can never dig too deep

Diggy Diggy Hole – Wind Rose

Mine Mine Mine! is my favourite song on this album. It’s musically brilliant, it’s epic, it hits all the right notes and it’s all about mining… If ever there was a dwarven anthem, this is it. I can’t really say much more about it because I am too busy singing along. If you want to hear catchy power metal, you now have two songs to listen to… Just don’t blame me when you suddenly get the urge to buy an axe on Amazon.

Brothers answer to our call
We rush for gold
We’ll arise (Rise!)
And we’ll mine (Mine!)
To the heart of the world

Mine Mine Mine! – Wind Rose

One last song that I must mention – There and Back Again. And if you know your Tolkien, then you’d immediately go “hey now!”. And yes, this is a song about The Lord of The Rings. Or at least The Hobbit. This track has hints of some Black Metal, but don’t let that detract. It rewards a full listen, and it still manages to stay on theme.

Wintersaga is an expertly forged album that stays on point all the way to the end. Never missing a beat, no weak songs to skip, and it constantly delivers a sense of adventure. You really feel as if you’re one of the dwarves, like you’re part of the story. Very few albums manage to bring the listener on their journey completely. In fact, the only other album that comes to mind is The Privateer’s – The Goldsteen Lay.

From the first beat to the last, you’re absolutely invested. And when the last song rolls around, it’s like saying goodbye to old friends. Or parting ways with your traveling companions after an epic adventure. It’s bittersweet, inspiring melancholy for the present.

And isn’t that what adventure is all about? As much as it’s for the experiences, it is also about the ending and returning to normal as someone different. Bilbo went back to The Shire, but he was never the same hobbit that entered the Lonely Mountain. And so, even though we have this adventure that we can relive anytime, it still causes pause and allows us to reflect on who and what we are.

Even if it’s just for that second it takes to hit the play button and start it all over again.