The infamous Weeping Forest resident RUNEREADER has returned with a brand new tale. This one takes place in Keepvale; a small mountain and farming town in North-Eastern Saltusil. Like RUNEREADER’s other tales, A Weekend In Keepvale offers up many curious and mysterious sounds that lure those who wish to listen to his stories. Each chapter of this mighty tale sets the scene and gets your imagination running wild.
It starts with One Weekend In Keepvale. This is charming instrumental that brings both a calm village setting and the countryside, specifically 1920s. The reflective piece of music is the perfect way to lure anyone who is curious into this world. This calm and serene music isn’t like RUNEREADER’s previous work so this goes to show he still has many surprises up his long sleeves.
Another Awful Goblins Tale tells the first full chapter of this tale. The blissful music and vocals bring the peaceful village Keepvale to mind, this can be heard clearly in the lyric “Here in Keepvale, away from the strife of Saltusil, Work the fields, Strike the forge, A simple life for we”. LISSY’s mysterious chanting in this lyric “In this little Mountain town, we are Goblins, small and green, Through the fields we roam at night, under moonlight, blue” introduces the goblins who do their activities at night. The chaos in the last part of the track shows the goblins mischievous and adventurous nature; especially as they belt out “Floppy hats and burlap sacks, We’re the Goblins and We’re coming for your gold”.
Ever wondered what a Black Metal track in Game Of Thrones would sound like? Dragon’s Keep Looting Battalion shall give you a rough idea on what that sounds like. The fantastic story telling continues through this balance of mischief and power as the goblins plan to raid Keepvale under the instructions of the beasts who live in the Keep. Lunaria’s hauntingly, stunning vocal work provide the perfect ambience demonstrating the dominance of these beasts.
A sinister rendition of MADNESS classic Baggy Trousers comes to mind when The Eventide Rite starts to play. This is mainly down to the similar sounding rhythm and vocal pattern. The chorus of this track wouldn’t be out of place in Stranger Things, this is a mashup I didn’t expect to hear and I am now very glad I did.
Now with No Goblin Like A Goblin, I know what some of you maybe thinking; to manage expectations, no it isn’t a rendition of S CLUB 7 bopper S Club Party. Although that would be a great thing to happen. This tune is just as pumping and danceworthy, this is the track that would be played at those late raves where everyone is having a great time. This is reinforced by the calm towards the end as everyone starts to mellow out. This is the music equivalent of organised chaos, lots of going on and all carefully put together.
It ends beautifully on I Hope The Lamp Stays Lit, A Rose For Epona by ELUVEITIE comes to mind. Whilst the melodies aren’t so similar that they sound exactly the same, they both provide the same calming and whimsical vibes. The only difference being that it sounds like Ville Valo has taken over the vocals which adds to the welcoming serenity. There is a lovely message that is universal to whichever realm you live in about staying strong during incredibly tough times, especially knowing that better times will be coming.
A Weekend In Keepvale showcases the strong storytelling capabilities of RUNEREADER, another talented side to this mysterious Weeping Forest resident. Whether you’re a new listener or an avid follower, this EP is highly recommended if you love a great story.
Rating: 9/10
Words: Lotty Whittingham
One Weekend In Keepvale is out now.
Find RUNEREADER here.
