Τετάρτη 14 Μαΐου 2008


Fen - Ancient Sorrow (EP,2007)
Northern Silence

Ancient Sorrow is the debut EP from atmospheric black metallers Fen. Mixing aspects of folk, ambient, black metal and prog the band create music that expresses loss, sorrow, exaltation and a sense of ancient pride, sounding like a cross between Rush and Mayhem. There are three tracks, the first, Desolation Embraced, an eight minute brooding track that follows a simple arrangement through epic guitar riffs and gentle keyboards. The harsh vocals utter their bile fuelled words across the uplifting melodies. The second track, The Gales Scream of Loss, is a rousing similar track, with a clean choir-like backing tethered to the tormented darker vocal deployment. Finally, Under the Endless Sky, clocking in at 12 minutes, is a step up in gear, and the rapid drum work is the only real difference to the otherwise still prevailing atmospheres of the previous track.With Ancient Sorrow Fen have created something dark and evil yet, at the same time, something majestic. Opening track “Desolation Embraced” is nearly nine minutes of experimentation with darkness. Surreal vocals layered over epic guitars and an atmospheric drum beat create this weird and wonderful maelstrom.Clean arpeggios (love it), distorted riffs,sometimes leaning more toward a whispered sort of grunt and discrete atmospheric keyboard passages following the pace of a kicking bass/drum duo. The heaviness mentioned comes from these last two elements, especially noticeable in the over-prominent bass drum sound.

8/10

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