Folk

Whispering Void – At the Sound of the Heart Review

By Mystikus Hugebeard on November 1, 2024 in Reviews, Ambient, Folk, 15 comments

“Whispering Void is, by all accounts, a supergroup. Created by former Trelldom guitarist Ronny Stavestrand, his Trelldom connections allowed him to bring Kristian Eivind Espedal (otherwise known as the problematic fave, Gaahl) onto the project. From there it snowballed, with Gaahl’s Wardruna tenure opening the door for vocalist Lindy-Fay Hella to join the project as well. Rounding out the formation is Iver Sandøy on drums, the drummer for Enslaved’s last two albums. So not only is Whispering Void a supergroup, but they’re probably one of the most Norwegian supergroups ever.” Whisper campaign.

Black Aleph – Apsides Review

By Dear Hollow on October 25, 2024 in Reviews, Doom Metal, Drone, Folk, Noise, Post-Metal, 15 comments

“Black Aleph is a sonic experiment devoted to ritual. Debut Apsides, blends drone metal with folk instruments and post-metal’s metamorphic crescendos. Yet, its value lies deeper, with a ritualistic heart pulsing beneath Middle Eastern modal traditions, guiding the movements into a divine, otherworldly experience. Make no mistake—Apsides will crush you, but as much in its serenity as its dense riffs. The weight it conjures suggests punishment rather than delivering it, resulting in something haunting, unique, yet full of untapped potential.” But like, is that all good?

The Flight of Sleipnir – Nature’s Cadence Review

By Maddog on October 5, 2024 in Reviews, Doom Metal, Folk, Folk Metal, Post-Metal, Stoner Metal, 34 comments

“The Flight of Sleipnir’s 2021 opus Eventide made ripples in the underground, blending stoner doom, acoustic folk, and post-metal—familiar elements but crafted into a cohesive, beautiful whole. We hadn’t covered them since 2014’s V., so I nabbed Nature’s Cadence as soon as I could, hoping it would elevate the band from goodness to greatness. I knew that either way it would be a breath of fresh air, and its gorgeous cover art was irresistible.” Even AMG is getting into cadence discussions this week.

Big|Brave – A Chaos of Flowers Review

By Dear Hollow on May 3, 2024 in Reviews, Folk, Noise, 16 comments

“The Montreal trio has always offered what they coin “massive minimalism,” and A Chaos of Flowers represents its most minimalist offering. Big|Brave does away with earthshaking, mountainous compositions of drone riffs in favor of an evocative, simmering, and otherworldly experience.” Stop and kill the flowers.

Suldusk – Anthesis Review

By sentynel on February 29, 2024 in Reviews, Atmospheric Black Metal, Black Metal, Folk, Neofolk, 42 comments

“Way back in early 2020, Suldusk played the last show I attended before fun was canceled. I was introduced by the non-suspiciously departed Emya’s excellent TYMHM piece on one-woman debut Lunar Falls. This sort of black metal-inflected atmospheric folk is incredibly My Thing, as you can tell from where Helga landed on my list last year. So Suldusk were a pretty important fixture for me, particularly in the tough early pandemic months. The whole thing has that slight air of unreality you get with memories from around then. Now they’re back—finally—with a full band and signed to Napalm, so the stakes are high for Anthesis.” Dusk throne.

Hulder – Verses in Oath Review

By Carcharodon on February 8, 2024 in Reviews, Atmospheric Black Metal, Black Metal, Folk, Symphonic Metal, 105 comments

“Originally from Belgium but now firmly ensconced in the Pacific Northwest of the US, one-woman black metal project Hulder caused some ripples with debut LP, Godslastering: Hymns of a Forlorn Peasantry, in 2021. Steeped in dark medieval themes and even darker folklore, it channeled both an almost second wave black metal harshness and a folk edge to create a unique sound. Although a little rough around the edges, it promised much for the future.” The future is NOW!

Reverend Kristin Michael Hayter – Saved! Review

By Dear Hollow on November 5, 2023 in Reviews, Blues, Folk, Noise, 71 comments

“Brothers and sisters, welcome to our 9 o’clock service. I see many eager faces out there, hungry to receive the Word today. As Jesus said in the Gospel of Matthew, “if two or more are gathered in [h]is name, God will be with us and hear our prayer.” If this is your first time joining us, you could have been anywhere else and we’re thrilled you decided to be here. Feel free to fill out the visitor card in the seat in front of you and drop it in the offering plate – we’d sure love to hear from you and pray for you. I hope you know that God loves you and has a plan for your life. Now, I have a real treat for you today, a guest speaker: classically trained singer and songwriter, pianist, faithful servant and friend of Christ Reverend Kristin Michael Hayter.” Altar calling…

Green Lung – This Heathen Land Review

By Carcharodon on October 30, 2023 in Reviews, Alternative, Doom Metal, Folk, Occult Rock, Retro Metal, 46 comments

“There is something familiar and charming about what Green Lung do and do so well. Blending the likes of Sabbath, Jethro Tull, Boston and more, the band harks back to an earlier time and, on Black Harvest, managed to do that with their own voice. However, there are lots of other things I can reach to for comfort and familiarity, perhaps explaining why I haven’t reached for Black Harvest until thinking about this review. What staying power does This Heathen Land have?” Of Lungs and lands.

Myrkur – Spine Review

By Maddog on October 27, 2023 in Reviews, Black Metal, Folk, Folk Metal, Rock, 83 comments

“Myrkur apologists and her detractors both have a point. Her 2015 debut M succeeded as folky black metal, but aped predecessors like Ulver’s Bergtatt (1995). Two years later, Mareridt established a unique voice for Myrkur, but suffered from inconsistency. 2020’s Folkesange abandoned metal in favor of acoustic folk. A resounding success and an easy 4.5, Folkesange thrived on Amalie Bruun’s vocal melodies and her knack for arrangement. Its highly anticipated successor Spine resurrects Myrkur’s black metal roots amidst dreamy pop and mid-paced rock.” Crouching pop star, Myrkuring dragon.

David Eugene Edwards – Hyacinth Review

By Cherd on September 28, 2023 in Reviews, Electronica, Folk, Neofolk, Non-metal Metal Things, Not Metal, 63 comments

When a new release appears from the man behind 16 Horsepower and Wovenhand, a rare double review becomes mandatory. Allow Cherd and Carcharodon to explain why David Eugene Edwards is a big fookin’ deal on both sides of the pond and everywhere else.