Inquisition: The Lying Tongue of Man
Looking at
the creators of this cd I arrive at the conclusion that it isn’t the best name
in metal world. Hm… the storyteller… and this kitschy front cover with members
in the foreground and some forest behind them – it looks like somebody took a
glue and inserted these stone-like persons into the artificial greenery. It is really good work for kindergarten
children. This is the beginning and the things don’t look good, aren’t they? All
right, for sure the main important matter is the music itself, and here I have
to write that these Swedes from Gävle prepared
absolutely stunning piece of metal! Although the album is entitled “Tales of a
Holy Quest”, in my personal ranking the word ‘holy’ turns to ‘metal’. So let’s
start this emotional journey into the world of crushing heavy metal and… atrocious
times of inquisition.
This is the third album of The Storyteller, but unfortunately I didn’t
hear the previous ones. The fact is they don’t play death and black, the fact
is that L-G Persson and company bathe in excellent mix of heavy and power metal
supported by powerful production of Studio Fredman. I read one interview with Persson
during promotion of this work and there he said they esteemed Blind Guardian a
lot (even about some influences). Maybe they love them, maybe they can build an
altar for Germans, but musically The Storyteller is in another dimension. Definitely
much better dimension. Surely I can write that this stuff is one of the best
heavy metal slabs released in twenty-first century. Allowedly the first
attention goes to the vocals effort, here Persson is in top form undeniably, I
find some originality because no names of other vocalists come to my mind. I
think this is rather marriage of the best heavy power metal voices. Musically
the band doze everything (fast, slow and acoustic parts) in good proportion
which means that boredom doesn’t exist.
Writing about musical side I have to admit about lyrics because it is
very important part. All is created by L-G Persson himself, he wrote a lyrical
concept album based on the witch trials in Sweden during 1668-1676. His lyrics
refer mostly to the fearful events which took place in Torsåker parish. Each song
is prefaced by words of explanation and it is really worthy of reading. All
right, let’s go to the first song called “Voices from the Past” which is in
fact short intro turning into the proper track “Seed of Lies” – perfect for the
start, the guitarists Fredrik Groth and Jacob Wennerqvist attack with hard
riffs decorated by fresh melodious parts. All is mixed with tempo changing and
some powerful backing vocals in the chorus. Also I have to write about
excellent guitar leads and short acoustic fragment which is the beginning of
the second part of “Seed of Lies”. As I stated earlier, this is extremely good
track, but appetite comes with eating. And here Swedes don’t fail, because with
no time break “Conviction” strikes me without mercy. Title says it all (the
victims had no chance before the court), this is fast, energetic track with
superb chorus and two-piece solo lead, in addition on the end there is culminating point when the choir sings
“Liberate me ex inferis!”. I am just under the impression that the musicians
can vocally and musically take me into those days before the court and this is
absolutely main advantage of this album. Ok, the next three songs are nothing
new comparing to the previous killers: “A Holy Quest” (mid-tempo, paralyzing
guitar lead), “Words Out of Greed” (probably the fastest one with fascinating story)
and “Chamber of Torture” (no solo here, after rapid beginning there is
mid-tempo tunes with acoustic fragment). I slowly reach the next one called
“The Mass” which has two parts: the first is acoustic with very calm yet
distinct singing, when Persson defines all the prices for the common people
believing in God, then after ninety seconds the track gets another ‘life’: hard
guitars dominate. Here vocalist (with choir in chorus) sings about the
punishment and fires of hell waiting for the unbelievers and unfaithful ones.
With the introduction written in the booklet Persson asks many ‘uncomfortable’
questions and describes the basis of witch-hunts. After some whiles of revery,
“Blinded Eyes” brings fast tempos turning into “When All Hope Has Fade” – the acoustic
ballad where lyrics are only hypothetical, but completely true, and Persson
presents thoughts of the accused about their families and friends: “they can
hurt your body but can’t take your soul”. With the next “Trails of Blood”,
eight minutes colossus, the band makes a final step for inevitable tragic end.
The complexity of this song (fine guitar works, memorable vocals and tempo
changes) is a big advantage, it helps to feel the atmosphere of those bloody
two days where seventy poor and innocent people were decapitated and burned at
the stake on a hill in Torsåker. The album is ended by short outro “…and Still They Speak” and the
ominous silence falls…
It is very seldom when lyrics concept is so close to the overall
songwriting. These both elements are top-level and make one inseparable
entirety. One fact is interesting in the case of the album: these eleven songs
didn’t conquer my metal heart at once. I needed several careful meetings with “Tales…”
and then I could say: yes, this is really great metal stuff and I can
courageously write that this album is the best in heavy and power genre
released in twenty-first century. Sadly The Storyteller was still in the deep
underground, they managed to release one more album and split up. Fortunately
this year Swedes decided to come back, but I have to wait for some music news.
So, if you want to hear metal with balls and fascinating lyrics, you know what
to do. And one thing to end this review: the outro is entitled “…and Still They
Speak”, and I am one with the band, all these spirits are present and speak
about murders through the album “Tales of a Holy Quest”…
97/100
-Tlacaxipehualiztli
(previously written for Encyclopaedia Metallum, on December, 2011, now modified a bit)
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