Carl Begai

By Carl Begai

Introducing Battlesoul. Folk metal from Goderich, Ontario.

Really.

Not quite as unfathomable as an Italian folk metal band singing the praises of Finland, but pretty damn close. Montreal-based Blackguard are able to get away with playing the extreme folk card in that they hail from a part of the Canadian continent – yes, it is large enough to be a continent – steeped in a history of exploration, native Indians, prohibition-era Americans in search of alcohol, and the best poutine in the country (and the world, for that matter). Goderich boasts ice hockey, tailgate parties and a town square. All kidding aside, Battlesoul’s self-titled five song EP shows promise of bigger things to come; strong enough to stand out in an overcrowded scene, conjuring up images of an illegitimate Corrs sibling showing up unannounced for a round of Ensiferum-flavoured Celtic thrash. At the very least it’s proof of Battlesoul’s claims of Guinness, Jameson’s and At The Gates being major influences in all things metal.
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