This is an amazing release from the Dutch black metal band Slechtvalk! Falconry is a cd that is sure to stay in my disc changer for a long time to come! The overall style is "symphonic" or "atmospheric" black metal similar to bands like Antestor or Dimmu Borgir. The music is mostly mid-paced (with a couple of fast songs) and quite dark sounding. Slechtvalk mastermind Shamgar plays all the instruments and does all the vocals (a talented man indeed!). The cd has a very doomy feel and might even appeal to fans of bands like Paramaecium also. Keyboards are used to their full effect giving this recording a dark and gothic tone at times. People that are into the older school of black metal might not appreciate the extreme use of the keyboards but in my opinion, the keys only serve to add another dimension to the overall sound and quality of this cd. The guitar work is executed very well and has a melodic feel yet retains that harsh and grim sound that black metal is known for. The overall guitar work here reminds me a bit of Kekal. At times the guitars are forced to take a backseat to the keyboards but they are still very present throughout. Although not all the lyrics are presented in the cd booklet, I have had a chance to read all 9 songs and I can assure you this has very strong Christ-centered content. Slechtvalk has quickly risen to the top of my favorite bands list and I look forward to hearing what will be next.
9.5/10
Other coverage for this album
HM Magazine #89Reviewed by Doug Van Pelt"...A soft breeze rustled the leaves of the forest's canopy as night began to fall. A man, called Shamgar by some, wandered along a hunter's trail, almost overgrown by the forest's lush undergrowth, the sound of his footsteps muffled by the thick carpet of pine needles and leaves underfoot. Shamgar carried a falcon, named Slechtvalk, on one leather-gloved wrist. A small leather hood covered the…Art for the Ears 2000Reviewed by Marco PovervestSlechtvalk is the Dutch name of a certain falcon. To be precise, the Falco Peregrinus. A book I consulted says "no other bird of prey strikes its victims so much into fear, has such a raging speed and kills in such an advanced and fast manner". So, the Slechtvalk is a bird of extremes. Shamgar, mastermind behind Slechtvalk, was apparently inspired by this bird to name his latest project…Dead Zine 2000Reviewed by D_ListerThere seem to be two sides to the black metal fence. Many people pick a side and then argue quite intensely that they are on the right side and those on the other side are wrong. (Ever read the Dr. Seuss book called The Butter Battle Book?) Those sides are simply put extreme or raw black metal and atmospheric black metal. The major difference is the reliance on keyboards or not. With Slechtvalk,…Dead Zine 2000Reviewed by GrindboyI wasn't sure what to expect with this album, but I took Sorg's recommendation and am quite pleased! Combine Kekal's aggression and (very well programmed) drum machine with very Antestor-ish vocals and keys with the "plunk out a melody" philosophy heard on Lengsel's Stille Dualisme, for example, and that should be a decent description of the Slechtvalk sound. The keys do from time to time take on…Similar sounding releases
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