loading...
Underrated - 75%
The final (at least at the time of writing) Forest album was a record that depending on who you ask, was either the most disappointing thing you ever heard, or something that was hailed as a hallmark of excellence. The project birthed four albums prior, largely based around hypnotic, repetitive black metal riffs, distant vocals and eerie ambient gloom. So when after a period of relative quiet from this branch of BBH and its temporary rebirth as Vargleide, there appeared an album that shed most of the familiar traits in favour of cleaned up sound and completely different atmospheric emphasis, many abandoned Forest as a has-been.
Indeed, it may have been better to put a new name to this; the music remains firm in black metal roots, however this time is much more up-front and aggressive, with a more conventional structure. Vocally, the style is more of a prolonged proclamation, rather than the raspy screams; the lyrics are also more direct, in line with the heavier political accent. However, I’m one of those people that believe the change was not for the worse.
First of all, the songs are memorable. The riffs are strong and tied together in a very cohesive way, with a simpler texture, but more intricacy in the melodies. Drums and bass have a greater role to play on this album, placed higher in the mix and adding strong, punctuated and interesting rhythms and counterpoint melodic elements respectively. The occasional addition of keyboards over the more atmospheric parts is done in a tasteful and unobtrusive manner, just enough to be noticeable and enhance the composition. Despite the change in style, the record retains substantial atmosphere; it’s far more militant and brutal, evoking brute force of a berserker rather than the dark esoteric force, but still as full of visuals. “Raven” is a unique track all of its own – a martial beat to a sung poem; it carries a rather odd motif, but grew on me despite its strangeness. The last two songs on the other hand, stylistically draw somewhat on the band’s past work, and other than production are actually pretty much the worthy successors of those albums; drawn-out riffs that slowly morph into each other making for moody, meandering music.
Vocals, as mentioned earlier, are more shouted proclamations. Up until now, this has been more of Nitberg [other Blazebirth Hall project – reviewer.] territory. They are snarling and hateful, much better suited to this style and production change. Furthermore, lyrically it’s a very strong work, - poetic, well arranged and with in-depth thematic content, they complement the album to the point it’s a pity that a lot of listeners that don’t speak the language would only have access to the English translation.
Admittedly, the final opinion on the album is a question of personal tastes. It is easy to see why many of those who are used to the old fuzzed-out and distant style would be dissatisfied. To me, however, good black metal is about creating a unique atmosphere with memorable songs and possessing substantial depth in terms of the concepts it contains. This album, I think, carries the objective out successfully, and the more experimental aspects like “Raven” only add to the whole picture, at least as a creative leap. It’s not perfect, of course, but setting aside the fact that it is different, the music does exactly what it was intended to do, and it wouldn’t be fair to ask anything other of it.
...Why? - 52%
Let me start off by saying this I am a big fan of Forest their ambient riffs on their previous albums are soothing to my soul after a hard days work…they are also my favorite band out of the Blazebirth hall… however this album…*sigh* well it is many things but it is hardly Forest.
Looking at the cliché national socialist cover art alone can give you some indication of the dramatic changes to their style, no longer does the mighty Forest paint dark and untamed landscapes within your mind’s eye with their melting guitar work filled with sorrow, vengeance and hatred...now Forest are straight up in your face NSBM with the only recognizable traits to their previous glory being Kaldrad’s vocals and some minor notes to their use repetition though it has lost almost all of its captivating presence.
The riffing leaves hardly any impression at all other than a hardy “What the hell happened?” though I guess in all honesty it’s not bad the riffs are decent but are nothing remotely special and far from the Forest that I once enjoyed…you have already heard everything presented here subpar drumming, bass lines that you can hardly hear and of course Kaldrads vocals... it is however a tolerable record I suppose…but the problem is it’s Forest! I expected more and was let down…this is hardly even the same band…how can this be the swan song to Forest’s career? In my opinion listen to “As a song in the harvest of grief” and avoid this record at all costs it tarnishes the band's glory.