Fen – Monuments to Absence (Review)

Fen are a UK black metal band and this is their seventh album.

I last caught up with Fen on their 2017 album Winter. Apparently they’ve had another album since then, (The Dead Light), which I somehow managed to completely miss, which is a shame. Regardless, it’s now time for Monuments to Absence and its 67 minutes of music to absorb.

Monuments to Absence comes armed with the drummer of Craven Idol and some striking album art, both of which point at the direction of travel Fen have taken on their new work. While Fen still play black metal that mixes together atmospheric, post-, and progressive elements, Monuments to Absence sees them ramping up the aggression to quite scathing levels.

This is atmospheric black metal that burns with righteous anger and frustration. With piercing blackened riffs and impassioned harsh acidic vocals, the songs are masterful creations that are powerfully wrought. All parts of Fen are firing on all cylinders, but I have to mention the singer in particular, who sounds better than ever. The screams are lethal, the clean singing imbued with feeling, and the occasional growls are monstrous. Fen are not holding anything back on this release.

Of course, the band’s expansive aspects remain, and these enrich the album’s depth and appeal. Amidst the furious blackened intensity lie vistas of immersive beauty, soundscapes of tactile texture, and affecting emotive colour. Fen paint with a broad canvas, only this time it’s layered with the sort of virulent aggressive tendencies that bring out a primal darkness in the band that’s captivating and impactful.

Monuments to Absence is an extremely enjoyable record that caters to my twin loves of aggression and atmosphere. Fen deliver both within an emotion-rich blackened package that bleeds quality from every engaged pore. This really is an impressive album, and I urge you to absorb what it has to offer.

Essential listening.