What’s The Opposite Of Vitriol?

With an title like Vitriol, one expects some pretty extreme black metal to come flying out of the stereo. You’ll be quite surprised when charming flute melodies coming wafting out instead. Vitriol is the debut album from Italian gothic folk metal quintet Evenoire, and while it’s not groundbreaking by any means, the band still manages to carve out their own little niche, and keep us entertained for many hours.

After the self-titled prelude, the record kicks off in earnest with “Days Of The Blackbird,” combining European power metal with singer Lisy Stefanoni’s gorgeous flute playing and powerful soprano vocals. “Misleading Paradise” is a subdued effort, utilizing clean guitar progressions and orchestral bells before building to a dramatic chorus, while “Forever Gone” drifts into progressive territory with odd-time riffs, solo bass breaks, and Middle Eastern vocals. “Girl By The Lake” embraces folk metal to the fullest, beginning with an epic driving piano and ending with subtle acoustic guitars, and the end of “Minstrel Of Dolomites” is not to be missed as it detours into a massive Irish jig. Finally, closer “Wise King” is a down home metal waltz filled with epic tales, soaring vocals, and wailing guitar solos.

The band acknowledges a debt to pioneering goth metal acts like After Forever, Within Temptation, and Nightwish, and it shows on Vitriol. Fans of these and other female-fronted metal acts should check this out; you will find exactly what you’re looking for. Folks looking to get into folk metal should give this a spin too, as Evenoire manages to avoid the pretension and esotericism that can plague this style. If you want solid, entertaining metal, grab your elf cap and a copy of Vitriol.