Liar Flags

The backstory is fairly boring, but suffice to say that I had to listen to this album, otherwise I wouldn't go anywhere near a genre I'm so severely allergic to. I kept on expecting it so suck, waiting for that eventual cheesy as hell panflute section, or a really really bad dance-a-jig korpiklaani kinda bullshit thingo. Instead, another 10 or so listens later I think i've stumbled upon the second good folk metal album that exists! That assumes that you're willing to stretch the genre enough to call Bergtatt "folk metal", and if you don't, this is currently the only good one.

Runic's success I think is based on a few things; they cram a lot of cool melodies into each song, the song writing is busy and has plenty of parts but still flows real well, and how they have figured out that rarest of metal things, which is synths that don't really really suck. I wouldn't say it's ever really heavy, but the guitars have this neat tendency to always be playing something that's quite cool. Rarely is there just a bunch of boring chords plodding along; there's lead lines aplenty, plenty of neat harmony sections, and while the riffs aren't ripping your head off they're doing enough often enough for it to be interesting.

The synths/general layering deserves a mention, with Runic jamming everything into everything all the time. This would normally be my personal hell, but maybe it's the well done mixing, or that the synths also have stuff to say instead of just doing pads constantly paddin', but I'm not complaining. It's a wonderfully immersive album, with the synths, guitars, female vocals, growled vocals all coming together and working much, much better than they have any right to. Worth loading up whatever fantasy RPG or particular book you really enjoy in the genre, chucking Runic on and just drifting away from the never ending pandemic, the planet cooking, whatever angst you've got.

If I had to nitpick, I would maybe argue that things are maybe a bit sameish, and while it is a very nice background sound, sometimes it is maybe a bit too much so; the production is quite restrained and muted which both helps it in points but also makes it quite easily ignorable. If that makes sense? Certainly, there could maybe be a few bits that are a bit heavier, or a bit more sparse, a bit slower, whatever. Still, consider that a small thing, far from a dealbreaker.

A friend of mine insists that this is 2nd rate Ensiferum but I can't recall giving Ens so much time or that band whisking me away to another world as well as this album does. Absolutely worth getting! Very glad this album came my way.

This is a tantalizing, genre-bending aural onslaught that has been on the top of my playlist for years now. The songs, the first two in particular, are piping fresh and full of vitality. I don’t know why more people haven’t caught on to this band yet. It seems like the kind of stuff that is instantly likeable no matter what status of metalhead you are.

If you need a comparison, maybe think Spanish Ensiferum. But do not let this comparison detract from your perception of Runic’s originality, which a lot can be said for. Many of the songs open with a feel of movie score grandness and launch into an energetic sound storm blooming with bagpipes and other instrumental inclusions. Between horns and hymns, sonorous keyboards and foot-stomping breakdowns, there be some solid melodies and tasty licks.

The instruments are great; they all fit together nicely. The vocals are reminiscent of Hypocrisy’s. Sometimes there’s a deeper rumbling voice, occasionally a chorus of men singing, and there’s also some female vocals sprinkled in there somewhere. There is a well-rounded ambience to the music that keeps the songs engaging. Each song is unique and enjoyable and worth listening to again and again. It’s hard to get tired of this stuff.

Runic are undoubtedly one of Spain’s best-kept secrets and are definitely a gem you’ll be glad you discovered. When the hell is their next album coming out? I really want more Runic. This is probably one of the best debuts I’ve ever heard.

If you are reading this review, you most likely discovered a band from Spain know as Runic. Runic is not just some ordinary every day Folk/Black Metal band, they can be greatly compared to that of Ensiferum and Moonsorrow. Runic has great fast pace songs, that are very comparable to Ensiferum. While Runic uses more folk elements than Ensiferum, their folk style and singing can be compared to Moonsorrow.

Track one “…When the Demons Ride” has a great folk acoustic intro. As soon as the intro is over, immediately the fast pace riffing comes in. This song just combines metal and folk elements well. There are also some great harpsichord parts in the middle of the song as well as flutes.

Track two “Liar Flags” has an epic instrumental intro, then kicks into some great fast pace riffing once again. The keyboards in the background along with the guitar really compliment the song. There’s a short keyboard breakdown in the song, that is just one of the coolest things I’ve ever heard. The song ends with a pretty awesome solo.

Track three “Ambush” is probably my favorite song on the album. There is some great guitar parts in this song. The best part of the song is probably the really catchy chorus. There is an amazing guitar solo around 2:39 mark. Around the end of the song comes in a very low, almost death metal voice that reminds me of Hypocrisy type vocals, which sounds amazing.

Track four “Lost Empire” has another great keyboard intro, that leads into acoustic parts and female vocals. Most of this singing is kind of death metal vocals. Has some great keyboard parts throughout the whole song.

Track five “Predecessor” starts off with the classical rain and thunder in the background, and then kicks in the violin and other folk elements. After the intro there is some great folk chants and horns that make me proud to be a Viking. Around the middle of the song comes in the amazing low, almost death metal voice. Afterwards comes another amazing solo.

Track six “To the Fallen” starts off with an acoustic intro but kicks into some great flute and guitar riffing. This song combines the death metal and black metal vocals. The keyboards once again, providing a great background and mood of the song.

Track seven “Vs Myself” begins with a short stings intro, that immediately kicks in to a some fast guitar riffing. This song one of the more average songs on the album, but still great. It does have some pretty memorable guitar riffs.

Track eight “Nau” immediately starts off with some fast pace guitar riffing and folk instruments. I’d say this is probably the best folk/metal combination on the album. Around the 2:04 mark comes in some great Viking chants that just put me in a trance. There is some great flute and bagpipe solos near the end.

Track nine, the final song “And a New Journey Begins…” is all instrumental. Usually most instrumental songs are kind of boring, but this one is much different. Although only 1:37 long, still amazing. Just listening to this song makes me think I’m in a castle preparing for battle. The horns and the strings just sound excellent together.

Overall, I highly recommend Runic’s “Liar Flags” to everyone out there. Runic is one of the greatest bands I have ever heard. If you are a fan of Ensiferum, Wintersun, Finntroll, Moonsorrow, or Thyrfing, check out Runic right away.