Elvenking - The Winter Wake (2006)

Elvenking's third album is another erratic slice of folk metal, with original vocalist Davide Moras returning after a break, and again it's not an easy record to get into, but becomes somewhat more satisfying after several listens, and when one sits down to actually concentrate on it properly.
Having said that, it's still too much over the place, I think.  The violin, which (if my memory serves me correctly) is more prominent here than in the past, is welcome, and the deft flute in "On The Morning Dew" gives the song an undeniable Jethro Tull flavour. "Swallowtail" is quite good, while the concluding "Disillusion's Reel" shows how good the band can sound if they have more well-rounded melodies.

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