Woodsmoke

The basis for the Woodsmoke release had been laid with the track Enchantment for Few, which appeared on and opened the split release with the Norwegian black metal band Isaford. Unlike on the earlier demo and different in comparison with other tracks of the aforementioned release, this said track offered a combination of elements which the band began to embrace on Woodsmoke and to bring it on Trail of the Unwary in some kind of perfection.

On the band's early releases the emphasis had been on some kind of simple structured compositions with an emphasis on a kantele and on keyboards. These had created a slightly dark and depressive atmosphere; an impression fostered by the lyrics, despite their low amount in occurrence. Even though the Finnish band was able to create some fascinating piece of art, it lacked of something to give it depth and to support the instruments in some respect. On Enchantment for Few such could be found and this idea was brought on a new level on Woodsmoke. Samples and field-recordings are now all over this release and to listen to the seven compositions is like walking through an enchanted forest. Owls screech, water babbles, birds chirp and all is in perfect harmony.

A further aspect has brought the music on a new level and this has to do with the better sound of the keyboards. The early compositions had some sense of cheesiness in them and might be perceived as odd, the typical Casio-stuff some may say, but with Woodsmoke this era seem to have been over and their new sound is more natural and supports the music without leaving a bitter taste; yet, I wonder how the effect of more 'real' instruments would be. Drone like textures appear again in the background, while the motives played by the keyboards work together neatly with the kantele. They do not use the same melody line and work independently from each other; through this the music gains in volume and atmosphere, as to the listener a lot of ideas and a complex melody line is presented. Due to the little amount of repetition in the motives, the band is able to prevent any monotony from actually occurring. Further, samples of animals or water appear now and then, while occasionally the music slows down completely, the instruments vanish nearly completely and the voice of an owl can be heard for instance. This is what makes this music so fascinating. Unlike a lot of other bands, Nest did not merely throw the ideas together and attempted to have a mystical aura; this Finnish band created such on Woodsmoke. It is the richness in detail and the way everything had been arranged together which makes this album outstanding.

Final bits and bytes
This release easily creates a mystical atmosphere, which surrounds the listener from the very beginning until 'the end' of this piece of art. Ambient, folk and 'field recordings' (animals, water etc.) have been brought together in a fascinating unity and not very surprisingly does the good production have a positive effect on the whole concept. Yet, with more of these samples taken from the nature, the music could have been better, as well as with more real instruments. Even though the keyboards sound better than on the early outputs by the band, they are still not such as to fascinate entirely. Their sound is not natural and forms therefore some kind of contrast to the basic elements of the music; The Silvershade Lynx, to pick one, provides such an example as the pan-flute like play of the keys have not this natural feeling in the transition between the chords; further ones could easily be cited on other tracks.

Accordingly is the impression not entirely positive, but it is very easy to enjoy Woodsmoke for its atmosphere; also over a longer period of time. Some magical aura surrounds it and offers the listener always a place to turn back to; like an enchanted forest can never be explored thoroughly and remains in the memories of those who are familiar with it and enjoy it … as a place to let the soul drift towards.

Recommended to anyone who might search of a unique combination of ambient, folk and samples taken from nature.