Àrnica are a Spanish neo-folk band and this is their latest album.
The band’s blend of traditional influences and instrumentation, with modern technology and experimental soundscapes, has largely produced an intriguing and engaging end result. Continue reading “Àrnica – Cabeza de Lobo (Review)”
This is an EP from dark folk band Urze de Lume, who hail from Portugal.
This is dark folk music inspired by traditional themes. Continue reading “Urze de Lume – Vozes na Neblina (Review)”
Isle of Avalon are a UK power/symphonic metal band and this is their second album.
This is power metal influenced by Arthurian legend, and the band certainly do this side of their sound justice by incorporating many medieval themes, sounds, and melodies into their songs. They’ve clearly immersed themselves in this aspect of their music, rather Continue reading “Isle of Avalon – Of Tulgey Wood and the Table Rounde (Review)”
Ty are an atmospheric/post-black metal band from Venezuela and this is their debut album.
It was the album cover that drew me to this release, and I’m glad it did. This is obscure, underground black metal that focuses on atmosphere and mood rather than aggression or blackened hatred. Continue reading “Ty – The Golden Soul and the Hunger Feelings (Review)”
Myrkur is a one woman post-black metal band from Denmark. This is her second album.
I thoroughly enjoyed both Myrkur and M; their combination of raw, second wave black metal and folk, choral beauty was as well-judged as it was well-executed. However, if you thought M was the culmination of Myrkur’s style, and Mareridt would be just more of the same, you’d be mistaken. Continue reading “Myrkur – Mareridt (Review)”
Cormorant are a progressive black metal band from the US. This is their fourth album.
This is a highly ambitious release, with a wide range and scope across its hour long playing time. Spread across only four tracks, Cormorant pack a lot in on this release. Continue reading “Cormorant – Diaspora (Review)”
Ulvesang are a Canadian neofolk band and this is their debut album.
This album is a folk release that specialises in creating beautiful soundscapes for the listener to dreamily explore.
Ulvesang approach this style coming Continue reading “Ulvesang – Ulvesang (Review)”
Kjeld and Wederganger are both black metal bands from the Netherlands. They have teamed up for this split release.
Kjeld are the opening band on this split. 2015’s Skym was cold and evil black metal in the Scandinavian style. On this release they contribute 17 minutes of music in the form of three songs. Continue reading “Kjeld/Wederganger – Split (Review)”
Jarun are a Black Metal band from Poland and this is their second album.
Jarun play Black Metal with Progressive/Folk elements.
This release combines considered reflection, passionate delivery and fiery Black Metal into a cohesive hole that does well to temper Black Metal’s dark flame with a subtle Folkier perspective. The Progressive Metal elements fit well into this musical tapestry and allow the music an even broader scope.
If you think of a merging of Enslaved, Thy Worshiper, Opeth and ugly, primitive Black Metal then you’ll be on the right lines. The juxtaposition of the raw Black Metal core with the sophistication and nuance of Progressive Black Metal is enough for many bands to contemplate, but add to this some Folk influences and Pod Niebem Utkanym z Popiołu becomes even more impressive.
The band have a guitar sound that they use well; when distorted it’s gritty and abrasive, but when the distortion fades it’s nicely clean and polished.
The vocals are gruff, savage barks that wouldn’t be out of place on an underground Grindcore release. They add real bite to the tracks and show that Jarun have that aggressive core, even when the music is more refined.
These songs are impressively realised beasts that have a lot of variety and content to them. They’re well-written and the playing time makes the most of the incorporated styles to take the listener on a journey through Jarun’s highly textured world.
Jarun strike the right tone with their songs and they get the correct balance between their particular influences. Acoustic and cleaner sections abound within the heavier, grimmer framework and the riffs, solos and leads all add a lot to the moods they create.
When I first approached this release I wasn’t sure what to expect; the cover gives little away, and I don’t read Polish so apart from knowing it was a Black Metal release of sorts, that was all. As it turns out, Pod Niebem Utkanym z Popiołu has been an extremely pleasant surprise. I love albums that have a depth to them and Jarun succeed in being able to write songs that capture the attention with their Progressive style and yet have ample enough aggression to satisfy.
I do fear this is somewhat destined to be a lost gem; let’s try to stop this from happening. Jarun are a band more than deserving of support; this is an impressive album from a talented band.
Extremely highly recommended.
Falloch are from the UK, and this is their second album. They play Folk-tinged Post-Rock.
This is the kind of album you’d listen to when trying to relax at the end of a hard day, or when you want something light and non-invasive to tinkle away in the background.
Falloch specialise in nature-inspired songs that take the slow route and utilise the build/release nature of Post-Rock to carve out their ethereal sounds.
This Island, Our Funeral is somewhat of a mix of bands such as Agalloch, Anathema and Blueneck only with more of a Post-Rock style and an elemental, windswept feel.
Guitar melodies and leads conjure images akin to the album cover and the organic production has some steel to it despite the nature of the music.
The vocals are well-performed with layered harmonies and angelic tones. The singer’s voice is well judged and fits the music well; it shares the same Folk-edge that the music does and the vocal melodies seep out of the speakers like honey.
Falloch have crafted an album that attempts to forge an emotional connection with the listener and its success largely depends on how receptive the listener is to what they have to say. They clearly believe in what they’re doing and I think they’re definitely worth a listen or two. Have at it.
Wonderbox Metal 