Fell Voices

Originally I suspected that this self-titled demo from Cascadian black metal band Fell Voices may be an under-produced version of the self-titled full-length debut with the same songs and all, just reshaped and remastered. My suspicions were proven wrong as this tidy demo actually features two different songs, one entitled ‘Theobromo’ and the other ‘In the Hands of the Blind God’. As with the full-length, these two songs are incredibly long and rather difficult to listen to due to the sheer weight that the distortion places on the listeners shoulders. Although, having said that, this is an incredible intricate, layered demo, much alike the full-length with consisted of, surprisingly, a lot of variation in short, sharp bursts whilst repetition also played a role in the shaping of the mammoth soundscapes. This demo is essentially the same as the full-length, but doesn’t have that classic feel to it. The only reason I can imagine that is, is because I had heard this demo after the full-length, therefore, since I’ve become addicted to the mannerisms of the band through the full-length, I’m used to the style and how it works its magic on the audience through its spacey qualities.

In essence, the riffs, which are central to the success of Fell Voices, as well as most bands, don’t inspire the same levels of excitement in me. When I first discovered the full-length, I was overwrought with joy as I had dug up a band whom I never expected to dazzle me with their energetic wall-of-sound approach. Now, on the demo, the style has settled into my bloodstream and since I’ve become so used to it, it doesn’t feel as unique. Certainly, given the fact that the songs here are almost replicas of the songs on the full-length, there is a certain amount of expectancy and predictability in the structures, though I still very much love what is going on within the layered soundscapes. The vacuum like effect of the so-called “wall-of-sound” black metal is present both here on the demo and on the full-length. In terms of the stylistic approach, the demo is a lot like the full-length in many respects, as I stated. It contains the song long-winded expression and reminds me a lot of the deserts of the world. Although they’re vast and seemingly barren, they have a lot to offer in the way of beauty, inspiration and even tranquility, much like this demo.

The full-length isn’t exactly the best quality recording I’ve ever come across, but it isn’t meant to be. The vacuum effect of the atmospherics sucks you in like nothing before. However, there is a fluidity and even an accessibility to the structures that really wasn’t expected when I first came across Fell Voices and became aware that they produced material under the wall-of-sound premise. The second song, in particular, showcases an inspiring amount of variation, something which bands of a similar mould should take note of. The bass is a consistently repetitious factor in both songs and even on the full-length. It has the same bouncy quality to it and is audible throughout, despite the distortion and fierce vocals. On both songs, particularly ‘Theobromo’, the vocals alter from time-to-time. They also appear layered over one another and enhance the bombastic style of the atmospheres. The vocals appear as elongated rasps and dirty growls. The vocals themselves aren’t really unique to black metal, but they definitely serves a purpose within the songs as they build the momentum alongside the bass and percussion particularly well.

I’m still somewhat shocked at the musicians’ ability to be able to make each element so accessible, despite the layering and the distant feel of the music. Atmospherically, both songs conjure images of grandiose landscapes, one’s with mountainous regions and when I listen to the melancholic style of the band, I’m reminded of what altitude sickness must feel like, the way in which the higher you go, the harder it is to breathe. The atmospheres really do leech off of you, sucking the life out of you with every blast of the drum, with every pick of the guitar. The sheer volume of the songs is frightening. The way in which they just sound so monumental is fantastic. Each element draws together to make this possible, with the bass adding that bouncy consistency, the guitars adding rhythm and fluidity, whilst the drums and vocals add penetration and boost the more sinister side to the bands style. Although this demo isn’t as impacting as the full-length, it still serves up a tasty dish of wall-of-sound black metal with huge atmospheres and wonderful adept layering.