For years I’ve been incredibly picky with my folk metal more than any other kind of metal I listen to. In order to please me as a piece of the style, you gotta truly go balls to the walls and over the top with your material that’ll throw me into a fantastical world of magic, war, and other such topics in such a fashion that are no less than mystical. Never once hearing a note out of Crimfall, I dove headfirst into their upcoming record not knowing what to expect at all, and what I found is no less than an epic slab of metal that’s truly insane.

The way that Crimfall approached “Amain” speaks volumes because I have a feeling that without even hearing a lick of their two previous efforts that this one is by far their most mature. While “Amain” isn’t the meatiest of records in terms of song length, but these Finns quickly make up for that by making the ten tracks epic experiences in their own rights with some emphasizing more on the folk and others leaning more towards the actual metal. This creates a very distinct and admirable change in sound that’s very pleasing to hear as the layered symphonies that Crimfall crafts with ease quickly transit to a set of powerful vocals that pull the whole of “Amain” together like a slick bow. Be it tales of pointless wars, being caught in the tragic chains of tradition, or the bloody bouts caused by religion, Crimfall brings it all to light in an outstanding fashion that I can’t help but eat up with how well put together it all is from the splendid instrumentation to the ball busting metal that doesn’t relent. “Amain” doesn’t quite have it all despite me singing my praises, but that doesn’t stop this record from being an absolute smashing hit that is sure to collide with you like a ton of fucking bricks.

This year hasn’t been incredibly bountiful in terms of folk metal in my experience, and it seems like Crimfall has come around to satiate my need for quality music from the style, and they did no less than an immaculate job at doing so. Should you want an album that is equal parts beautiful as it is fucking crushing like an ax to the skull then don’t let “Amain” pass you by!

“Amain” releases on August 25th via Metal Blade Records!

PRE-ORDER “Amain” via iTunes here.

LISTEN to advanced tracks from “Amain” on Bandcamp here.

LIKE Crimfall on Facebook here.

FOLLOW Crimfall on Twitter: @crimfallmusic