Ashbringer-Vacant
- By Matthew Langley
- May 31, 2015
- 2 min read
Avantgarde Music | Release Date: 25 May 2015 Genre: Epic Folk Black Metal | Country: USA
I must begin this by stressing the use of headphones to hear this brilliant work of one man project Ashbringer, we will all know of that portal which the personal music space can bring and this album requires just that. A journey of transition through emotions and calming atmospheres, you need to be taken in and transported to the 'other'. 'Vacant' most certainly is an incredible work of atmospheric black metal, full of identity and psyche. Looking at the project's Facebook page it comes across as an honest and modest venture, nearly 2 years of writing process for this album and a humble appreciation of the countless exceptional reviews and recommendations on Bandcamp.
The first two tracks 'Ethereal Aura parts I & II' start off with a confident and moving vocal part evoking the old world and demonstrating how the vocals alone can bring about the atmosphere in this project. The guitars vary so much but so effective and calming in all styles - clean, acoustic and the trebley electric which evokes the black metal of old combines so flawlessly with the journey. There are the rolling and vigorous elements and visions of the mountainside forest one would expect. I could most certainly compare this to my countrymen Wodensthrone and sure Ashbringer pay reference to them on their page. I'm going to be listening to this all day.
Moving on through the next 2 tracks 'Lucid' and 'With Vacant Eyes' there are more outstanding vocals perhaps more in the typical black black metal style. The guitar parts are maybe of a bit more direct song writing purpose style akin to Woods of Ypres, memorable riffs. The drums sound programmed to me as you would often find on a one man project but still add to the picture, mixed perfectly and complement the guitar approach always - heavy sections and uplifting throughout. Great work. I'm still feeling this physically. There are some reminders of the latter day Amorphis vocal style for me in the cleaner parts near the end of 'With Vacant Eyes', I doubt there is a direct influence but just my interpretation. Some really nice bass guitar work as well underneath the cleaner ambient guitars, an underrated instrument in this genre often.
Penultimate track 'Lonesome' is an ambient/synth piece with experimental noise and drumming over it, all very different to the rest of this work but still maintaining the atmospheric portal which has drawn me in from minute one. The final track 'Bitter' is more typical black metal like you would expect from an atmospheric project like this but just flawless. Emphatic intro with the steady old school black metal beats, moving through the acoustic sections not as complex as previous tracks but a nice combination of parts. I reacted stronger to the earlier tracks but a great ending nonetheless.
This is atmospheric black metal with such a strong sense of identity, it is natural, class and powerful. Six very different tracks although strongly in the atmospheric vein.
9/10
Comments