Eluveitie | Ànv | Nuclear Blast

  

 Eluveitie, founded in 2002 by Chrigel Glanzmann, has established itself as a defining voice in the fusion of melodic death metal and traditional Celtic folk. Hailing from Switzerland, the band draws on ancient Gaulish history and spiritual heritage, giving their music an unmistakable identity. Their early works like “Vên” (2004) and “Spirit” (2006) built a foundation rooted in historic instrumentation and mythic storytelling, which was further developed with albums like “Slania” (2008), “Everything Remains (As It Never Was)” (2010), and “Helvetios” (2012). These albums marked Eluveitie’s ascent to international acclaim, driven by a blend of metal aggression and folk atmosphere.

The band’s dedication to conceptually driven projects became clear with “Evocation I – The Arcane Dominion” and “Evocation II – Pantheon,” where acoustic arrangements revealed a more introspective side. Their 2019 release, “Ategnatos,” opened a new thematic cycle centered on renewal, prophecy, and spiritual transformation. The singles “Aidus” and “Exile Of The Gods” followed in 2022, setting the path for what would become “Ànv.”

Over the years, Eluveitie has undergone multiple lineup changes yet retained a consistent vision under Glanzmann’s leadership. Their inclusion of traditional instruments like the hurdy-gurdy, bagpipes, and Celtic harp continues to be a core part of their sound, as does their use of the Gaulish language and ancient philosophical motifs. With the addition of Lea-Sophie Fischer in 2024, the band reasserted its commitment to musicianship and authenticity.

With “Ànv,” their tenth studio album, Eluveitie encapsulates over two decades of immersion in mythic tradition, presenting their most mature and self-aware expression of their identity.

“Ànv” is both a continuation and a refinement of everything Eluveitie has been building toward since their inception. Its atmosphere is thick with mysticism and old-world resonance, yet its construction remains firmly grounded in melodic death metal structure. The blend of guttural growls, stirring violin, tin whistles, and ancient chants is delivered with cohesion that speaks to years of evolution and consistency.

From the initial pulse of “Emerge” to the meditative close of “Epona (Metal Version),” there is a sense of spiritual gravity that permeates the album. It is contemplative and immersive, shaped by detailed instrumental arrangements and lyrical reflections on life, death, ancestry, and transformation. The interplay between harsh and ethereal vocals is balanced without excess, giving emotional weight without theatricality. Acoustic interludes like “Memories Of Innocence” provide space to reflect without disrupting the progression.

The title track, “Ànv,” serves as a focal point in tone, presenting the album’s namesake with restraint and clarity rather than bombast. “Premonition” and “The Prodigal Ones” tie the modern sound to the conceptual threads introduced in “Ategnatos,” while “Aidus” and “Exile Of The Gods” form a bridge between past and present, acting as harbingers of what “Ànv” would become.

The use of traditional instrumentation is not ornamental but fundamental. The hurdy-gurdy, bagpipes, and harp are not layered over metal—rather, they move with it. Tracks like “Anamcara” and “Awen” build on this symbiosis, feeling more like songs passed down than composed.

“Ànv” does not seek to push outward in unfamiliar directions but rather to deepen inward. It’s an album that feels shaped by ritual and memory rather than spectacle. The production is precise, yet never overly compressed. Organic textures are preserved. The sonic space is expansive without being distant.

Overall, “Ànv” is a distilled and cohesive continuation of Eluveitie’s artistic arc. It doesn’t attempt to sound revolutionary, but it doesn’t need to. Its strength lies in conviction, maturity, and depth of purpose.

Score: 8.0