Fen: The Dead Light (Prophecy Productions) [Paul Hutchings]
Has it really been over two and a half years since Fen delivered Winter? My gushing praise of one of 2017’s most impressive albums was perhaps a little too effusive at the time, but this is a band who really excite me. March’s EP Stone And Sea whet the appetite for this sixth full length release and now it has arrived, there is little to disappoint.
Yes, the band has changed their sound a little. Is it due to the popular progressive black metal scene? Is there even such a thing? Maybe bands are evolving organically rather than attempting to court the populace. Hardly the biggest market in the world either is it? So, what does The Dead Light offer?
Witness opens the album. A haunting, atmospheric and ethereal piece that echoes Alcest, elements of Opeth, In Mourning and others. Ambient tones echo as deep resonate bass tones and delicate guitar notes harmonise in tandem, allowing space before the slow drums kick in. Shimmering guitar riffing takes hold as the track builds, leading us to The Dead Light Pt. 1 and the first surprise. A gentle intro, almost alternative in feel but with The Watcher’s customary snarling vocals before the pace quickens, the riffs sharpen, and bass and drums increase in velocity before receding to be replaced by a gentler approach. The contrasting tempo and styles work well and whilst this will not be to everyone’s tastes, it works well. The Dead Light Part 2 is a blistering instrumental piece that leads into the intimate delicate opening of Nebula, which expands into another post-metal track, clean vocals giving way to a battery of intense drumming, tremolo riffing and more snarling growls. Full of haunting rhythm and melody, this is seven minutes of exploration, the tempo switching several times as the song develops.
The longest piece on the album follows; Labyrinthine Echoes clocks in at just shy of ten minutes and contains some of the most complex work here. Tool like in its bass lines; the track contains some intricate breakdowns as well the more traditional riffing. The tempo varies enormously, the rasping vocals adding an earthy element as the track ebbs and flows, at times frenetic in pace whilst other times easing back. More progressive elements in Breathe Of Void which follows, the undulation of the track intricate. Plenty for the non-black metal fan to get to grips with here, the underling melody emergent but never overwhelming. The Dead Light is strong on atmosphere and Exsanguination which follows sees clean vocals over death growls, a slower, darker pace increasing into a post-black metal evolution. The cleans are added effortlessly, the interchange with the more traditional vocal delivery. As with every song on this album Exsanguination follows several different paths along its journey, the haunting change in the final two minutes a step or two away from their previous music.
Crisp jangling guitar chords lead into a crushing riff open track eight, Rendered In Onyx, and if you haven’t by now realised that this is an album that needs time and devotion to fully absorb, then there is little hope. The track is another which deceives with its intro, explodes into a cascade of pummelling drumming and intensive riffing before dropping the pace but none of the intensity or feel. Another track that weaves its magic, spinning a musical web of delight, the darkness and light bouncing, the interplay at times breath-taking. The closing trio maintain the variation. Monochromatic Ossuary is spine crushing black metal, ferocious and raging. Searching ventures once more toward the Alcest territory, the subtle and gentle composition allowing breath to flow and peace to return. With a slightly oriental edge to it, this penultimate track builds to the climax of Echoes Of The Crowpath, a gentle acoustic piece that sits perfectly as the closing song; as unexpected as it is stunning. It rounds off this quite superb release in magnificent manner. With The Dead Light Fen have moved the bar, and closed off 2019 with one of the best releases of the year. 9/10
Cutting Teeth: Fracture/Decompose (Self Released) [Liam True]
This is a and I’ve heard a lot about, but never actually gave them a listen. And I’m disappointed in myself because they’ve blown me away. Being the perfect blend of Hardcore Punk and Metalcore, they intertwine the genres with perfect results. With the venomous vocals from James Thurlby the band have a point to prove, and they’ve made it. They’re aggressive. They’re in your face. And they’re here to change the Hardcore scene. With their beefy riffs and brutal breakdowns the band charge at you with a full head of steam. Pulling no punches and not letting up for an second, there’s no end to what the EP consists of. While not a huge fan of Hardcore music, the EP is the perfect gateway into the genre, while not being to light, they can still blow your dick off with their brutal instrumentation. And while not being the most original sounding band out there, their blend of genres make them a rising band to be noted in the scene. And you can catch these guys on tour in January 2020. If you can handle the intensity they bring. 7/10
Paladin: Anamnesis (Prosthetic Records) [Matt Bladen]
Paladin released a brilliant album called Ascension, earlier this year full of blistering speed metal that had the right amount of extremity to it to differentiate it from the other power metal acts around. So I was looking forward to this EP when it dropped into my inbox as anything from Paladin will now be welcomed with open arms. However what got me more excited was that this is three track EP of Nevermore covers, who still stand to this day as one of my favourite bands of all time. The progressive mix of thrash and death metal makes them the ideal band for Paladin to attempt the songs of. Guitarist/vocalist, Taylor Washington stated that the song choice was to make thing a little eclectic. It opens with River Dragon one of the bands best tracks and it's followed by Final Product from The Godless Endeavor again a popular choice from one of their later records but it ends with 42147 from early album In Memory, it's this last song that really shows that Paladin are true Nevermore fans picking this album cut to close out the EP. All three of these numbers are delivered with the serious chops witnessed on Paladin's debut, they are treated with deference not straying too far from the originals, but make for an entertaining distraction. 7/10
What We Do In Secret: Repose (Facedown Records) [Liam True]
With the heaviness of The Ghost Inside combined with the vocal styles of While She Sleeps and the catchy chorus’ of Architects, What We Do In Secret are a little Metalcore lovechild. While the first fee songs aren’t anything special, the further you get into the album, the more you’ll come to love the direction if where the band is going. Yeah it’s straight up Metalcore, but with a few twists that make it hit the mark more than other bands in the scene right now. Whether it be the combined vocals of Josh Adams and Clay Crenshaw, or sticksman Frankie Forbes, the band are firing on all cylinders through Repose. While most albums don’t contain either personal or topical issues, this album is both about themselves and hot topics right now. I’m not going to give anything away but there are some heartfelt moments here that hit me. If you like your Metalcore with a mixture of both heavy and melodic approaches, WWDIS are the hot band for you right now. 7/10
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