The latest (ninth) album from German folk metal legends SUBWAY TO SALLY is the quintessence of the genre, the pinnacle of Eric Fish and company's current interpretation of their mission. A work that, on first, second, and even third listen, is absolutely devoid of weak spots. The Rammstein-esque guitars, strangely enough, evoke no unpleasant associations. The folk component, while continuing its trend toward diminishing presence, nonetheless fulfills its localized task of creating atmosphere with brilliance. Fish's charismatic and utterly recognizable vocals only improve with time. Any song could claim hit status — provided, of course, you're willing to include nearly acoustic ballads among your hits. And lastly, there is something personally incomprehensible to me: the magic of the German language. It is the charm that makes German folk metal a notable phenomenon. It also, admittedly, repels a certain number of those who are organically averse to it, but that is their loss. In closing, a couple more facts: the album was recorded instrumentally in various studios and then assembled into a whole. The limited edition includes two live video clips from the band and a media player. It's gratifying that russia received precisely this edition. So here it is — the best folk metal album of the past year, in my humble opinion. The legend lives on!
