Achelous – The Icewind Chronicles Review

Knowing nothing about R.A. Salvatore’s Icewind Dale trilogy, I am not the absolute, dead-on target demographic for Achelous’s The Icewind Chronicles. With song titles like “Mithril Hall” and “Halfling’s Gem,” the album has a fairly particularized vision. But that doesn’t mean that I can’t enjoy a warmly produced epic heavy metal record inspired by a bunch of fantasy books.

Because I also know nothing about Achelous, the most striking thing about The Icewind Chronicles is that it sounds carefully executed and well-developed, rich even. Though I am no epic heavy metal expert, the universe of bands is fairly small, even globally. So the fact that this band seemingly came out of nowhere to deliver an album as strong as this – well, surprises me.

The Icewind Chronicles is really the tale of two albums. First, the slower moments might not hit for everyone. There’s a consistently dirge-like ambience and pace that suits Chris Kappas’ vocals but might turn off listeners who find it plodding. It is an inescapable fact that Achelous spends a not insignificant amount of time building a feeling. And if you’re inclined to put quotes around “feeling,” then perhaps this isn’t your cup of tea. But for those who, like me, appreciate a good build, you’ll be richly rewarded by a flip side that involves some high energy awesomeness.

The transition from the slower, more methodic album opener “Northern Winds” to the more spirited “Flames of War” epitomizes the dichotomy between the band’s opposing tendencies. On one hand, Achelous is very much about living in the vibe of a riff. And on the other, the band has the wherewithal to recognize when there’s a need to kick things up a notch. The two are inseparable, equal parts of the band’s general approach to epic heavy metal but they are undoubtedly distinct.

The best nine minutes of The Icewind Chronicles is easily the back-to-back of “Flames of War” and “Savage King.” These two songs are pre-battle hype music and by far the most memorable of the album’s eight tracks. No surprise – it’s because of the riffs. There’s an especially triumphant riff baked into “Savage King” that Kappas sells beautifully. I wouldn’t say no to an album full of this on the follow-up.

Charming seems the appropriate word for The Icewind Chronicles, a fantasy-based, riff heavy album whose release Achelous cleverly saved for the cold weather months. Though it remains to be seen where it ranks amongst the year’s finest, I have no doubt that, at the very least, “Flames of War” and “Savage King” will be among my most listened to songs in 2022.