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Reader of the Runes - Divination is the first part of a conceptual series of records by ambitious Italian folk metal sextet Elvenking. The band had flirted with conecptual ideas before as The Scythe offered ten gloomy tracks about death. This new record however features a complex story line and the record's limited edition comes along with a story booklet, map, six rune stones and twenty-two tarot cards.

While the concept is creative, intriguing and most certainly praiseworthy, the music is a little bit disappointing on this first album. Elvenking's charismatic trademarks are however still present. The melodic and at times melodramatic vocals add a theatrical dimension that suits the album's purprose very well. The bittersweet, elegant and harmonious violin sounds never get old and get me every single time. The keyboards enhance the record's atmosphere and build up a nearly cinematic vibe at times. The guitar play finds the right balance between crunching riffs, energetic melodies and harmonious solos. The rhythm section doesn't stand out but delivers the goods as solid backbone for the band sound with tight drum patterns and playful bass tones.

What's the problem then? The songwriting itself is amiss. There isn't one single tune that stands out and stays on your mind. Elvenking had always had the talent to write very catchy singles such as ''Trows Kind'', ''The Divided Heart'', ''From Blood to Stone'' or ''The Cabal'' and even obscure bonus tracks like ''The Open Breach'' delivered in that regard. That quality has disappeared here as most tracks are Elvenking tunes by the numbers that are lacking the precision, passion and memorability of yore. The diversity is there but the punch just isn't. The record rushes by and leaves the listener somewhat hollow. Even after multiple spins, the record just won't grow.

The record's saving grace is the epic conclusion ''Reader of the Runes - Book I''. The song isn't any catchier than the others. But it summarizes all of Elvenking's trademarks and the record's concept alike. It's the kind of song I would present to a friend to introduce her or him to the band.

In the end, Elvenking's Reader of the Runes - Divination is a slightly confusing mismatch. The concept is ambitious, creative and intriguing but the song writing is bland, repetitive and superficial. I would only recommend this album to die-hard fans of the band and those who are rather looking for an interesting story than gripping music. Those who are looking for vibrant, memorable and catchy power and folk metal should rather listen to this release's immediate predecessor Secrets of the Magick Grimoire.

Final rating: 67%

Soilwork's extended play Underworld had already been released with the special edition of Verkligheten and it's questionable why the four songs needed to be released separately five month after said album release.

The material on here is only interesting for avid collectors. The first two tracks offer average Soilwork material by the numbers. Epic melodies meet aggressive guitar riffs. Harsh vocals in the verses collide with melodic chants in the choruses. The final song had already been released in a different version with stunning guest vocals by Amorphis' Tomi Joutsen on the previous studio album and sounds a little bit lackluster in this alternative take. The only truly redeeming value of this release is the more atmospheric ''The Undying Eye'' with its intriguing rhythm changes and almost hypnotizing vibes that would have fit perfectly on the regular version of the very good studio record released earlier in the same year.

In the end, Soilwork's Underworld is a rather unnecessary release and it's also questionable why the band released yet another new single only four months after this extended play. Instead of offering quantity over quality, the band should take its time to collect its numerous bonus tracks and alternative takes and release them as a compilation record for a fair price in the future. The band had already done that with Death Resonance three years earlier and even though said release was rather hit and miss, it's already more recommendable than this forgettable brief selection of outtakes.

Final rating: 45%