Live Reviews
‘They’re a formidable mix of traditional folk and powerful hard rock. Their performance of a Sabbath medley, which included ‘Sabbath Bloody Sabbath’ and ‘War Pigs’, with Ozzy represented by the flute, was excellent, as were tracks like ‘Tahitian Xmas’ and ‘Pagan Spirit’. They concluded with a medley from Irish folk band Planxty, with the ‘Raggle Taggle Gypsy-O’ quite prominent.’
Ramzine
‘Albion proves that you can create very beautiful music with beautiful, simple melodies rooted in centuries-old traditional folk music. Especially when you infuse those melodies with warm chords and playful rhythmic and melodic innovations: music that touches people's hearts. Including the people at Parkvilla Theater on Friday, September 4.’
Progwereld
‘A four piece with, it’s fair to say, an unimposing look, they opened up with a track they said, in self-deprecating manner, had finally got around to naming as ‘Arthurian Overture’. And… Oh. Wow. The sound was crisp as a bell chiming. The classic folk melody was just like being enveloped and carried away into an Arthurian fantasy. The vocals are just perfect, emotional and clear from Joe Parrish-James and his guitar work with Jack Clark was brilliant. We get a flute passage from Joe (and some stand-up comedy as he cleans it), we have just sublime drumming from (I believe) Ollie Medlow and the mesmeric tall bassist Peter Szypulski animated and outstanding.’
Ave Noctum
‘One of the standout acts of last year with their flute-based tribute to Ozzy, it was a pleasure to see them step away from the comic and simply demonstrate their fusion of folk and metal that works much better than the concept sounds. Rather than alienate fans of the two genres they expand what both can express.’
efestivals.co.uk
Pryderi EP (2021)
‘I simply can't stop listening to this EP. All 'branches' are stunning. This is jaw dropping music by four brilliant musicians.’
- Background Magazine
‘ ‘‘Pryderi’’ is impressive through its unique approach in combining the elements of folklore and progressive metal. Albion are presenting them as if those genres belonged together since the beginning. I really can only recommend you get their EP at their bandcamp store’
- folk-metal.nl
‘From my perspective, nine points out of ten for this EP are more than justified.’
- bleeding4metal.de
Lakesongs of Elbid Album (2024)
‘Adventurous, enchanting, tons of fun, and extraordinarily British.’ -
Angry Metal Guy
‘Allow yourself to be drawn into its embrace and you will enjoy seventy minutes of wonder and music that will not only take your breath away but your heart and mind too’ - Progradar
‘"Lakesongs Of Elbid" has become an impressive, varied, and surprisingly mature debut album, unparalleled in its balanced blend of folk rock and folk metal.’ - metalinside.ch
‘With Lakesongs of Elbid, Albion have a fine debut album offering something a bit different with their mixture of old traditional folk and heavying it up very nicely.’ - newwaveofbritishheavymetal.com
‘Without so much as a thought, this has to be the quintessential work of folk to start 2024 off with and it’s going to be hard to find another work that can go toe-to-toe with this creation in the months to come’ - Headbangerreviews
‘These musicians have taken advantage of a great wave of inspiration to deliver an album where all the tracks are very interesting, some addictive with their driving rhythms, or simply magnified by the pastoral beauty of authentic, acoustic sounds from a culture rich in legends. This album is a very pleasant surprise, not at all cheesy, and quite festive. I highly recommend it.’ - Profilprog
A debut album clocking in at over an hour—balancing folk, hard rock, and metal, and polished to perfection—featuring strong vocals, solid instrumentation, and, above all, highly impressive flute playing: it is certainly worth a listen for fans of the aforementioned bands. When the only criticism of a debut is whether it could—or should—be slightly less perfect, you know you have delivered a truly outstanding album.
Written In Music
It Was In The Month of May I Album (2026)
‘I expect this is one of those records you will still be playing for a while. A very beautiful album’
Progwereld
‘Strong fantasy influences… folkloric traditions… stirring’
Prog
‘…ambitious arrangements and top-rate musicianship, there is a lot to enjoy here’
folking.com
‘One of 2026’s most captivating underground folk-rock releases’
Ramjam Records
‘Poetry, songs, and alliterative verse are intertwined throughout the album’s narrative. Linguistic, eloquent, grandiloquent phrases and melodies evoke feelings, conjuring vivid images of landscapes, genealogies, and cultural histories’
metaltalk.net
‘In the end, It Was In The Month Of May I feels like a clear step forward. Albion leans away from the metallic edges of their debut and fully embraces their folk roots, and the result is a more cohesive and confident record’
Sea of Tranquility
‘In short, as you will have understood, I was thrilled with this album and I can only highly recommend it’
Prog Censor