ELVENKING
Reader Of The Runes – Luna

With a burst of starlight and a crack of thunder, the Reader Of Runes trilogy finally comes to a close with Elvenking’s Reader of Runes – Luna. Having kept the secrecy of who the Reader Of Runes truly is while navigating the toppling of deities, the battle between brilliance and darkness finally ends. But, is all truly to be revealed? Having been captivated by Elvenking since 2014’s Elvenlegions dropped, it came as no surprise to me when the band chose to embrace not only an epic tale, as done countless times, but one that will stand as a trilogy, with each album only adding to the Fantasy.

With Reader of Runes – Divination successfully breaking through the cloud cover in 2019, the saga had only begun with the mystery revolving around this mysterious Reader Of Runes and the secrets in which they reveal. Boldened by tracks like the title ‘Divination’ and the infectious ‘Silverseal’, the story-bound creation not only intrigued fans but captivated them as well. In 2023, the follow-up to the first part of our journey, entitled Reader of Runes – Rapture emerged from the darkness with torchlight in hand. Bringing forth bangers like ‘The Hanging Tree’ and ‘Bride Of Night’, the second piece of the puzzle offered up a heaviness to its folk-ensnared predecessor, not only furthering the mysticism of the Reader Of Runes trilogy, but its soundscapes as well.

Finally, two years later, the final piece emerges as Reader of Runes – Luna. This not only rounds out the trilogy, but it masterfully brings all characters together to play their final parts and reveal us their true nature. Of course, I won’t reveal that for you. It’s only natural that Elvenking once more plays the part of the bard, reminiscing of tales and journeys once living and wild, weaving vivid imagery through emotional melody and powerful soundscapes. After five years of adventure, the final chapter plays out, and it’s worth revisiting before closing this book.

In a perfect beginning, Luna kicks off with the stunning and powerful ‘Season Of The Owl’ that bolsters rhythmic pulls and bludgeoning drums. It holds all the elements of Elvenking feel and sound, embraced by a heavier call-back that not only speaks to the Reader Of Rune trilogy, but Elvenking’s roots. Quick and catchy, there’s mystery and mysticism in every verse, still held together by the chorus’ chant that somehow seems to sink into the brain, infectious and all too delightful. With the title track ‘Luna’ being revealed two months early, this captivating and soulful melody perfectly encompasses the album’s tales. With stunning lyrics, flowing like poetry, lines like “A white flame glistened by moonshine. Heart-whole, pure as snow. Deceive she would never. Half a step beyond the flock she rode.” It has that classic Elvenking sound, balancing heaviness and symphonics to drive their story with vividness and imagination.

‘Gone Epoch’ dropped a month after ‘Luna’, only further teasing the end of this mysterious trilogy with epic folk feel and intrigue. This track caught me off guard, bringing in illusion to its words as it wove a web of intricacies and captivation. “Little riddles of stars we were lost in a reverie. Told in a song, blown in a melody. Long ago in a time that is no more, forlorn gone epoch” is still stuck in my head daily, and one I hum along to every chance I get. It’s whimsical, speaking to the fantastical side of the album and offering up more to the Reader Of Runes trilogy, further extending its Fantasy foundations. Rapid pace carries through like galloping down the hills on the first light of the fifth day with ‘Stormcarrier’. The cries of thunder and the harsh vocals are jaw-dropping, giving this track a vicious sound. One of my favourites from the album for its power metal feel and stunning melodic mixing, this track brings the action to the album, moving to a full-blown battlefield of storm and thunder. The wonderful blend of harsh vocals to bring terror to this album, complimented by the signature cleans truly moves this track into the spotlight, giving it an emotional and epic standing throughout the saga.

Pushing forward, ‘Starbath’ keeps the depth of bass and chugging guitars alive, offering up a cleansing of the palette while still binding itself to Luna’s tale. It still holds that heaviness from the previous track, while shifting back into the folk metal feel to embrace memory and longing. ‘On These Haunted Shores’ cranks the metal madness once more for a fantastical nightmare. The wicked drums and heavy bass of this track are stunning, bringing in the vocal wizardry to once more wind us through the eerie corridors of this fascinating track. The layers of complexity in this song are not only bound to its story, but to every instrument driving the soundscape creating this nightmarish, yet ensnaring piece. With heavy melodics complimenting harsh closing vocals, this track is wild from end to end, and worthy of relisten again and again. ‘The Ghosting’ follows on the heels with its classic, heavy metal feel that’s both refreshing yet perfectly complimenting to this saga. It chugs along, almost automatically, but is crafted around a symphonic sound that really cranks the emotion of this haunting track. It holds mystery and divinity, chiming in with tantalizing sound that’s easy to find yourself moving to.

As our saga begins to see its end ‘Throes Of Atonement’ brings no relief, ramping up the haste once more for a track both inspired by power yet befitting of our folktale trilogy. I love the raw instrumentals that introduce us to this track, like running wild and free, following the river through the fields with a warm breeze and clear sky above. The lead single from this album revealed in late 2024, it’s a song that leaves nothing in the shadows as it paves the way for this album’s pacing, moving rapidly from past to present on galloping hooves and battle cries. Having its place near the album’s end seems befitting of a song that encapsulates every bit of sound and story this album has to offer. The second last track belongs to ‘The Weeping’, a sorrowful and haunting track that holds up on powerful instrumentals, escorted in on acoustic delight as it plays through our nightmares. The fluidity of this track balances out on perfect melody and treacherous guitar riffs, shifting from one mood to another reveling in a forgotten sun and a blackened sky.

The finale of our Reader Of Runes saga comes with ‘Reader Of The Runes – Book II’, and eleven-minute track that takes us back to the very beginning through cinematic mastery as we recall the battle cries, relive the runes’ prophetic teachings, and long for a home that sees so far away. It’s like watching the end credits roll with a tear in your eye, but you know the story is far from over. The soundscape on this track is wild and untamed, shifting from weeping by the riverbed to riding across those fields, seeking vengeance once more. Every sound plays on your imagination, allowing you to see the full story before you with every blink through inspiring sound and powerful vocals. Despite it’s lengthy runtime, it’s worth every second, truly binding Divination, Rapture, and Luna together and offering them up in completion.

As a finale to the Reader Of Runes trilogy that has captivated fans for five years, Reader of Runes – Luna masterfully brings together not only the Elvenking sound and legacy, but the story they have waited to tell since 2018. Intriguing characters, inspiring journeys, and bombshell storylines of vengeance and wonder are lived and relived as we remember what came before Luna, and what is now laid out before us. If you’ve been craving that Fantasy film feeling, yearning for a novel that touches upon every trope and signature character while still twisting expectations, then you’re sure to love every chapter, told through song on this, the third and final piece to the Reader of Runes saga.