About.com Rating



The fourth album from the Italian band Elvenking finds their sound changing. They started out as a folk metal band who incorporated elements of power metal into their sound. These days they have evolved into a power metal band with some folk influences.

You'll still hear violins and other folk elements on The Scythe, but the emphasis is on bombastic guitars and heavy melodies. This is the most intense album Elvenking has done, and King Diamond/Candlemass guitarist Mike Wead contributes some excellent solos.


The vocals on the album are a combination of melodic singing vocals and growling yells and screams. There are some female vocals as well. Between almost every track are cheesy, melodramatic spoken word interludes that add absolutely nothing to the album and after a few songs actually get irritating.

Elvenking have taken some heat from their fans for their switch in sound, but they still have a folk influence and some of the songs on The Scythe are very catchy.