ETHEREAL FOREST : ETHEREAL FOREST
Unsigned
England’s Ethereal Forest formed five years ago, but it’s the present moment that sees them standing on the cusp of something exciting, having secured a deal in recent months with German label Darker Than Black. “Ethereal Forest” saw the murky, dappled light of woodland day back at the tail end of 2006, but now seems an apt time to revisit its darkened reaches. Although the sound is admittedly lo-fi, the reason for this is stated in black and white for those with eyes to read; this demo was recorded in one day, on a 4-track no less, and so the manner in which it seems purposely and cleverly raw is all the more impressive.
The modus operandi of this dynamic duo -featuring Azrael from Heathen Deity, and Theobold now largely of Pantheon I- is to blend raw, harsh black metal with a pagan kind of catchy groove, and an epic, reflective atmosphere. Opener “A Brave New Dawn” is all synthesised folky pipes, heroic, grand and creatively narrative, but it’s on “The Road To War” that the charm of Ethereal Forest’s style is first impressed upon the listener. Featuring a swagger that’s part heathen forest dance, part black’n’roll nastiness, a few ebullient calls of ‘alright!’ serve well to sum up my mood upon hearing such an economic yet effective use of black metal ingredients.
“Of Valour and Glory” is a little more orthodox, with its cold guitars, sweet tempo changes and buzzing leads, but the smoothness and prettiness with which the sound strips back then bursts back in towards the end of the song, coupled with Theobold’s classy percussion, means this track still reveals a surprising sophistication. Later tracks make use of clean and cascading clean guitars, which carry plenty of dark melody. Here well-penned structure gives a folk-song strength and familiarity. The slow, reflective guitar line of the title track, combined with the loose and easy drumming and a bare hymnal male vocal, gives me shivers.
In all, Ethereal Forest’s musical approach should be of interest to anyone who likes their black metal to have a strong pagan or folk influence, but is turned off by cheesiness, an overload of pointless instruments or the confusion of the terms ‘epic’ and ‘ridiculously long-winded’. They hit on beauty whilst strongly asserting their raw black metal roots, and the modern yet organic result is more reminiscent of acts from southern and central Europe than the very Nordic vocal howling and guitar iciness would suggest. Satisfying still after repeated listens, “Ethereal Forest” is a promising taster, and I’m all ears for what the band will do with their sound next.
83/100
