01. From The Depths Of Spring 02. Howl 03. Frozen Processions 04. A Shapeless Derelict 05. Set Alight 06. On Lonely Towers 07. Chaos The Songs Within 08. Sirens Of Oblivion [Limited edition bonus] 09. The Vault
Considering Barren Earth as a supergroup has never been necessitated. It's true that the musicians in question are already noteworthy for efforts elsewhere and currently lead busy lives in other bands. However, status external to Barren Earth no longer solely upholds the name, as the name has come to uphold itself with a tenable style their own. A third effort, On Lonely Towers, represents the band's continued development and change.
Wow, I was always so-so on this band until I heard they recruited Jón Aldará from Hamferd; now I must say I love this new doom direction they seem to taking and am definitely looking forward to the new album!
Probably needs more than 2-3 listens from me, because I just couldn't connect with this album musically. The first two tracks (Howl, Frozen Processions) and the middle part of The Vault got me instantly, but the rest, darkish, doomish part of the album just seem to be forced. There is no question, the musicians are amazing, every each and one of them, but something's missing for me. I'll give it another chance these days, because I really want to like it.
For some reason I cannot stop listening to "Frozen Processions". I just love the vocals and guitars. It kind of reminds me of Before The Dawn's "Deathstar Rising" album, just a little less straightforward. More diverse.
Wow... the best Barren Earth album by far. The last one was a waste of time, the debut was hyped too much due to the supergroup nature. This... shows the band has really come to their own (=
I think it's inconsistent, but still not bad. Feels too cut-and-paste a lot of the time, but some tracks even out the cons a little. Unfortunate as the line-up change improved their musical ability.
I think it's inconsistent, but still not bad. Feels too cut-and-paste a lot of the time, but some tracks even out the cons a little. Unfortunate as the line-up change improved their musical ability.
Each to their own (=
This one really yanked me away from what I was doing while I played it in the background!
The first two tracks (Howl, Frozen Processions) and the middle part of The Vault got me instantly, but the rest, darkish, doomish part of the album just seem to be forced. There is no question, the musicians are amazing, every each and one of them, but something's missing for me. I'll give it another chance these days, because I really want to like it.
It's funny that I share your overall sentiment of the album but about the exact opposite aspects/parts - it's the doom and the atmosphere that have won me over, especially in songs like A Shapeless Derelict and On Lonely Towers, but the uptempo melodeath and rock moments that lost me (e.g. Frozen Processions). While I appreciate the variety like I would on any album, as a whole I feel it's more "progressive" than it needs to be here - detracting from the experience a bit. The vocals are certainly the strong point and as I anticipated, better than previous albums.