Ten full length records into its career, it seems that German-Dutch-Italian-Finnish sextet Leaves' Eyes is on autopilot. Myths of Fate offers everything you expect, no more or less. While consistency can be considered a virtue, I'm missing the band's desire to innovate, progress and take risks on this output.

The songwriting is generally based upon four-minute long tracks with verse-chorus-verse-chorus-bridge-chorus structures. The songs rush by without leaving any lasting impressions. If I absolutely had to point out noteworthy songs at all, I would mention the slightly catchy ''Hammer of the Gods'', the epic and heroic ''Sons of Triglav'' and the average attempt at going back to the band's folk metal roots on ''Einherjar''.

The musicianship is mid-paced and can be described as bland heavy metal with a few minimal extreme metal influences, especially regarding the drum patterns. That simple musicianship is enriched by occasional folkloristic passages and a few symphonic sound samples. They are however not used constantly enough to qualify this record as either folk metal or symphonic metal.

The classically trained female vocals by Elina Siirala are technically appealing but lack any form of proper identity. She might be a better singer than her predecessor Liv Kristine from a scholar perspective but the Norwegian singer had charisma, warmth and uniqueness that still make her stand out. Eline Siirala sadly doesn't seem to be having any of that. Her vocals would blend in wonderfully in a musical or in an opera but the lead position of a metal band simply doesn't suit her. Myths of Fate features a few half-hearted choirs and the occasional male grunts that are kept at a bare minimum throughout the record. This is a shame since the quality of the most recent trilogy of Atrocity records with such vocals has been remarkable.

One thing I would like to point out is that it's a shame that this release doesn't seem to be physically available on CD without the completely useless additional disk with instrumental versions of musically unimpressive tunes. Instead of wasting resources on something that nobody needs, the band with its folkloristic roots should have thought about protecting the environment instead.

At the end of the day, Leaves' Eyes' Myths of Fate only just qualifies as passable record for adamant fans of the band. There are however much stronger records in the band's discography, there are many similar groups that have now outclassed them such as Midnattsol and the band members' other group Atrocity that only omits Leaves' Eyes singer has been offering much better quality throughout the past few years. Even though there are several past records of the group that I still adore and despite a cover artwork that certainly strikes a chord, I'm not going to be revisiting Leaves' Eyes' Myths of Fate for a while and wouldn't recommend it to anyone either.

Final Rating: 60%

Alestorm's brand-new extended play Voyage of the Dead Marauder includes five songs for a running time of sixteen minutes. Just like the weird cover artwork indicates, that release is running at half speed.

The first two tracks are by far the best. They are original tunes in the classic style of folk, heavy and power metal about piracy that has become the quintet's trademark. Both songs shouldn't be considered leftovers since they would have deserved their spots on regular full length efforts. Title track ''Voyage of the Dead Marauder'' is a catchy, joyful and melodic mid-tempo track featuring clear, harmonious and uplifting female guest vocals and some danceable, dynamic and inspiring hurdy gurdy sounds performed by Patty Gurdy. Her elegant style completes the quintet's rougher side splendidly. This mixture thus makes for one of the greatest songs in the band's career. The song ''Uzbekistan'' is almost equally strong as it offers concise shanty metal in less than three and a half minutes with keyboard fanfares, occasional harsh vocals and a melodic chorus with amusing lyrics describing the landlocked country as a true pirate nation.

Up next, this extended play offers two cover tracks. ''The Last Saskatchewan Pirate'' by The Arrogant Worms is in the same key as the previous song and tells the tale of a man becoming a pirate in the landlocked Canadian province known for its agriculture and harsh winters. The track is thus amusing, catchy and entertaining all at once. The other cover track ''Sea Shanty 2'' by Ian Taylor is a tame instrumental tune clocking in at exactly two minutes that is completely forgettable.

The final track ''Cock'' is the band's attempt to go back to previous successes with absurd lyrics and the occasional debatable vocabulary. While songs such as ''Fucked with an Anchor'' and ''Shit Boat (No Fans)'' were truly amusing, entertaining and surprising, this song here is predictable, repetitive and uninspired. Alestorm can do much better in this particular category and only unconditional fans should even take the time to listen to that stinker.

At the end of the day, Alestorm's Voyage of the Dead Marauder offers three excellent songs followed by two stinkers which makes for an overall just passable impression. Faithful fans should give this extended play a few spins while occasional listeners can skip this output entirely without any regrets. Let's wait for the group's next full length effort and let's hope for new concerts around the globe since the sympathetic quintet is best enjoyed on stage.

Final Rating: 60%

Dear readers,

The month of March has brought us many outstanding releases from newcomers and veterans alike. My playlist of the month includes artists from China, England, Finland, France, Germany, Hungary, Italy, Northern Ireland, Russia, Scotland, Spain and Tunisia. The covered genres are folk metal, heavy metal, power metal and progressive metal. Click on the following link to enjoy ten brand-new songs and sixty-one energizing minutes of fresh music: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/3GTGkHy8UNtvMbQPhwUVdP

1. Гран-Кураж & Михаил Житняков & Евгений Колчин & Елена Минина - Последняя глава

2. Saltatio Mortis & Blind Guardian - Finsterwacht

3. Judas Priest - Invincible Shield

4. Sonata Arctica - Shah Mat

5. Myrath - Into the Light

6. Alestorm - Uzbekistan

7. Opera Magna - Historia

8. Lords of Black - Born Out of Time

9. OU - 蘇醒 Frailty

10. NanowaR of Steel - Afraid to Shoot into the Eyes of a Stranger in a Strange Land

Dear readers,

The month of March has brought us many outstanding releases from newcomers and veterans alike. My playlist of the month includes artists from China, England, Finland, France, Germany, Hungary, Italy, Northern Ireland, Russia, Scotland, Spain and Tunisia. The covered genres are folk metal, heavy metal, power metal and progressive metal. Click on the following link to enjoy ten brand-new songs and sixty-one energizing minutes of fresh music: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/3GTGkHy8UNtvMbQPhwUVdP

1. Гран-Кураж & Михаил Житняков & Евгений Колчин & Елена Минина - Последняя глава

2. Saltatio Mortis & Blind Guardian - Finsterwacht

3. Judas Priest - Invincible Shield

4. Sonata Arctica - Shah Mat

5. Myrath - Into the Light

6. Alestorm - Uzbekistan

7. Opera Magna - Historia

8. Lords of Black - Born Out of Time

9. OU - 蘇醒 Frailty

10. NanowaR of Steel - Afraid to Shoot into the Eyes of a Stranger in a Strange Land