As far as metal-based subgenres are concerned, folk metal is often overlooked. While Skyclad are often viewed as that particular niche’s favourite sons (they have arguably been the most commercially successful), dozens of other bands have worked hard to make a place for themselves within the scene. Sheffield’s Northern Oak built a cult following after releasing their debut EP in 2008, eventually gaining critical acclaim from Terrorizer Magazine for their subsequently released albums. After releasing their second full-length album ‘Monuments’ in 2010, the band appeared at the Bloodstock Festival and concentrated on live work. Breaking a four year studio silence, ‘Of Roots and Flesh’ (recorded with Electric Wizard producer Chris Fielding and again self-released) is a very accomplished work, its dozen tracks creating a sprawling musical landscape; often dense, but always with just enough atmosphere to ensure nothing ever feels too overwhelming.
Tag Archives: black metal
EMPIRES OF LIGHT – Apricity EP
Born at the very beginning of 2014, Empires of Light is a post rock/extreme metal band sprung from the ashes of History of the Hawk, sharing members with doom metal band Opium Lord. On their first release ‘Apricity’, dark tendencies are abound as the quartet of musicians seek to explore as much musical ground as possible within a relatively short duration, resulting in twenty five minutes of both distorted sonic spaciousness and sledgehammer riffs.
BAST – Spectres
This debut release by UK black/doom metal band Bast doesn’t mess about. A co-production between Burning World Records (CD) and Black Bow Records (vinyl; the label’s first release), the black and gold artwork sums up what you can expect to hear within almost perfectly; the package crossing that fine line from seventies doom into more modern black metal imagery. While only five songs are featured, the album clocks in at an album length 47 minutes: in traditional black metal style, these guys don’t so much expand on a sludgy musical idea as spend as long as possible pounding it repeatedly into your head until you bow down to their epic musical ideals. Not that repeated listening necessarily makes it any more palatable to the unenlightened, nor does it ensure any of the lyrical content is more audible.
BAST: Confirmed upcoming gigs
On the eve of the arrival of ‘Spectres’, UK black metal band BAST have a bunch of gigs confirmed. All dates listed below.