Review : MENA BRINNO – “Wicked Polly”

Mena Brinno – “Wicked Polly”
released February 2, 2009 on Dark Balance

Their name may mean “moon fever”, but you’ll find no lunacy on the Floridians’ sophomore release. Rather, this is a concerted effort to connect the worlds of folk metal and operatic vocals. Katy Decker is a classically trained soprano, thankfully eschewing the symphonic/gothic territory where most of her sistren tread. She sings of tragedy and loss from a female perspective in the narratives arranged by the band’s chief songwriter, Marius Kozlowski. His main weapons are guitar-driven folk rhythms, with a more traditional sound achieved by way of flute melodies (though synthesized). Ironically, their label is Dark Balance, and that is what’s lacking on many tracks. The vocals are often pushed too far front and the music shifts into autopilot for much of the second half (particularly 7–its slower tempo and complicated layers don’t gel). There is definite potential, however. With more distinguishable compositions, greater variety of instruments, and a consistent mix, they could be leaders in American folk metal.

FCC OK.
Try 1, 2, 5, 9.

01. Banks Of The Ohio
02. Entrapment
03. Wicked Polly
04. Secrets Of War
05. Labyrinth
06. Katie Cruel
07. Nightsounds
08. Court Me
09. Wildwood Flower

Rating:  

~Matt Longo