Wayfarer - Children Of The Iron Age review
Band: | Wayfarer |
Album: | Children Of The Iron Age |
Style: | Atmospheric black metal |
Release date: | November 2014 |
01. The Earth Only Endures
02. Forests Ash By Dawn
03. Toward Mountains
04. The Elemental
05. Stormcall
06. Children Of The Iron Age
07. A Place Among Stars
08. Skysong
Children Of The Iron Age brings chill like a winter dusk. Some songs will have you shivering violently while the howling winds burn your face; others bring you inside, sit you in front of the fire, and let you observe the snow beautifully falling on the frozen trees.
Wayfarer's debut features a mesmerizing, unyielding arc of music. Their brand of atmospheric US black metal is characterized by elements of soothing acoustic music, a slight post metal influence, bits of death metal, and a hint of neofolk (or maybe the coldness of the music just brings to mind the outdoors). The songwriting feels a bit scattered at times, but this often works in the album's favor, never causing the music to break down. It comes at us from multiple angles, encircling us before we even realize it.
The songs are long and relentless, many over 10 minutes. They churn together to form a whirlwind of icy, dismal mood. I've seen the word "Cascadian" thrown around to describe Wayfarer, which is inevitably followed by "Agalloch." Let's be clear: Agalloch can be in this conversation in a "recommended if you like" capacity and not remotely as prefix to "sounds a lot like." Recent young bands (like fellow countrymen Arbor) playing cold, atmospheric black metal have extended a new branch on the family tree.
Varying tempos bring opportunities for some slow build-ups, which in turn enhance the well-done extreme vocals. Guitarists Tanner Rezabek and Shane McCarthy both lend their voices to this aural painting. All is mixed just so by Dave Otero (Cobalt, Cattle Decapitation), so as to create a living beast of art.
Truly a special release, this gorgeous debut should be heard by any fan of atmospheric metal music. Personally, I am loving the shit out of it. Listen and buy at Bandcamp, or purchase the gatefold double vinyl (which also includes an exclusive bonus track) from Prosthetic Records' webshop.
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Written on 02.12.2014 by
Susan appreciates quality metal regardless of sub-genre. Metal Storm Staff since 2006. Twitter: @HeavyMetalSusan |
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