Заревом над прахом / Like a Blaze Above the Ashes

Black metal, for me at least, is more about atmosphere. Sure, the short go-for-the-throat method works for bands like Sarcofago and Satanic Bloodspraying, but I prefer more atmospheric acts. When I came across Forest, I was intrigued by their album Like a Blaze Above the Ashes, which appeared on many top one hundred lists online. When I learned more about Forest, and by extension Blazebirth Hall, I was also put off by the NS influence, as many might be. But if you look past the ideology, you'll find an amazing album.

First thing you'll notice about the album is its recording quality. It's suitably lo-fi with buzzing, fuzzy guitars making up the bulk of the sound. The drums are in the background and definitely not the main focus and the vocals hover over everything, ringing out like an eerie spirit. While the recording itself is lo-fi, the riffs are distinguishable, but the more subtle intricacies are somewhat buried. This is exemplified in the opening track “By the Roar of Hammer's Call”, which sets the tone for the album quite well. It's the shortest song on this album, being seven minutes long, and also the most black metal-ish. Forest subscribe to the Burzum school of droning black metal, and it really works in creating a cold and icy atmosphere.

There's also a more experimental side to this album. The first two songs are the standard black metal, but the other two songs are wildly different. “To the Fiercest Frost” starts of somewhat reminiscent of “Det Som Engang Var” by Burzum, sans keyboards. It then, much like the aforementioned Burzum song, becomes a very good black metal song. “Obscurity” is a folk-ish almost ambient song, with no growled vocals, but mournful wails. It's a good way to add variety to this album, and from the standard black metal form, and a very haunting way to end the album.

Like a Blaze Above the Ashes is a black metal classic. It's exemplary of droning, lo-fi black metal, and also the best representation of what both Forest, and all the other Blazebirth Hall bands were trying to accomplish. If you can look past the ideology of Kaldred and by extension Forest, then you'll find an album worthy not only one listen, but many listens.