This is the debut album from Wraithfyre, a UK solo black metal band.
On Of Fell Peaks and Haunted Chasms the artist behind Wraithfyre delivers 37 minutes of old-school symphonic black metal. It’s good stuff, and has clearly been created by somebody that knows the style well.
Wraithfyre’s music is resolutely rooted in the 90s second wave, (although it’s not restricted to this), with blasting ferocity and frozen riffs aplenty. It’s symphonic black metal, with majestic keyboards that cloak the music with infernal grace. The songs are solid exemplars of the style, and as soon as I first heard the Wraithfyre I knew it was the type of stuff that’s like bread and butter to me. I mean, what’s not to like? For stylistic reference points you can point to quite a few, both old and new; bands such as Children of Bodom, Emperor, Moonlight Sorcery, Stormkeep, and Watain are all relevant, as just some examples.
The songwriting is strong, as is the execution, and there is nothing to not like here. In fact, in addition to the black metal that we all know and love, there are some death and thrash metal elements thrown in the mix too, primarily manifesting in some of the more muscular or jagged riffs. There’s even a touch of doom metal here and there, as can be heard on songs like Ablaze in Abyssal Frosts especially. Having said that, this is mainly classic symphonic black metal, albeit played with contemporary skill and passion, and boasting a modern production that showcases the music in the best light.
Each track is easily enjoyable and offers more hooks and memorability than many ostensibly similar bands to Wrathfyre. All of them hit the spot, but I will single out Infernal Heresy as a particularly potent example of Of Fell Peaks and Haunted Chasm’s strengths. I also feel compelled to mention the last few minutes of so of Eternal Pyres from Beyond the Void – a notable exercise in atmosphere, emotive soloing, and of immersive worldbuilding, (the rest of the song isn’t half bad either).
Glittering like a long-lost frozen gem that has been given a firm buffing up, this is really good. It’s engaging, enjoyable, and effortlessly satisfying. Wraithfyre’s music succeeds in capturing the classic feel of the 90s, while still serving it up in a way that has clearly taken on other influences from the following decades and from other styles. Of Fell Peaks and Haunted Chasms is a winner. Try this one on for size, and I’m sure you’ll find much to like if you’re partial to the style.
Final thoughts – listening to this album makes me very happy, and I’d love to see the band live.
Wonderbox Metal 