Folk

Suldusk – Anthesis Review

By sentynel on February 29, 2024 in Reviews, Atmospheric Black Metal, Black Metal, Folk, Neofolk, 41 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, 104 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, 43 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.

Spider Kitten – A Pound for the Peacebringer Review

By Carcharodon on September 7, 2023 in Reviews, Folk, Sludge, Stoner Rock, 21 comments

“Welsh oddballs Spider Kitten have been out there for over two decades now, dealing in their super eclectic brand of sludgy, stoner, groovy doom, heavily laced with prog, folk and more. With numerous releases to their name, you never know quite what you are going to get from Spider Kitten. You kinda know the ballpark but precisely what sport will be played in it is anyone’s guess from record to record.” Kitchen sink-core.

The Devil’s Trade – Vidékek vannak idebenn Review

By Kenstrosity on July 13, 2023 in Reviews, Doom Metal, Folk, Folk Metal, Non-metal Metal Things, 14 comments

“Hungary’s The Devil’s Trade never fails to challenge my ability to fairly evaluate music. There are two reasons for this: firstly, this darkest of folk music is so effective in its emotional gravity and genuine sorrow that it consumes me and often clouds my judgment; secondly, those tangible qualities that I typically critique in the music I listen to most play different roles and have different effects in this environment. It’s what made previous release The Iron Peak tricky to rate, too, and I’m grateful to see that in challenging my abilities as a reviewer, The Devil’s Trade hasn’t changed a bit.” Devil in the details.

1476 – In Exile Review

By Carcharodon on July 6, 2023 in Reviews, Ambient Metal, Folk, Neofolk, Punk, 55 comments

“Well, 1476’s In Exile is certainly more than I bargained for. Having dropped my previous promo for this week because I had suspicions about the political leanings of its members (that it was bollocks made this a happy development), I picked up 1476 on a whim. And it’s a lot. Of many things. A lot of music, clocking in at over an hour. A lot of styles and influences—the accompanying blurb describes In Exile as “wonderfully all over the place”; the latter part of that statement isn’t wrong but the adverb, we’ll see.” Leatherface and open space.