My black metal moods... Fen

Before becoming familiar with Alghazanth, I ran into a black metal/shoegaze band in the same month, which I liked instantly. It defined itself by using other sounds in their music, unlike the 'true' black metal bands. I reviewed this for a Dutch black metal blog I was on at that time, and Fen left an impression on me that still lasts to this very day.

An expression of loss and melancholic yearning, the primary goal with Fen is to draw the listener into a windswept and desolate landscape, bereft of hope.

The Fen sound is very diverse, sometimes it reminds me of Enslaved in a way. The very quote I found on www.cackblabbath.co.uk says it all:

"When Fen’s previous album, The Malediction Fields, came out the band were heralded as “a UK rival to the throne of bands like Enslaved and Primordial”. With Epoch Fen have certainly lived up to that high praise and delivered on the promise shown by their previous release. It’s out next February and will surely feature in several top 2o lists at the end of 2011."

I've listened to various albums of Fen and I must say their style varies with each album, with each song. Even their split with De Arma is really worth checking out. Certainly a recommended band in my opinion!

My black metal moods... Alghazanth

A couple of months ago, it was February I believe, I was introduced to Alghazanth by an acquaintance of mine, one of the many black metal bands I listen to nowadays. Now when I listen to black metal, I don't consider myself known with all the technical terms like blast beats and such, I just like it if it gives me a certain feeling, inspiration for things I write. A certain form of darkness to engulf one's self in, if you will. Vinum Intus (which should mean something like Wine Within) does this for me. Typical for this black metal genre is that in my opinion it oozes desperation and suffering. This album is none different.

This album is filled with melodic black, sometimes it's accompanied by choirs and melodies and acoustic and piano parts. My favorite track of this album by far is "For Thirteen Moons". The rest of the album really makes this band interesting for me, and I will certainly check out more of their music. If you're looking for interesting black to listen to, I surely recommend this album.

A n ice cover image description on Encyclopaedia Metallum:

"Unsung Finnish black metal veterans Alghazanth have once again gone with a simplistic black/white cover image, long on metaphor, to adorn their 6th full-length Vinum Intus. It's quite striking really, from the single tree on the horizon to the turbulent well of souls, sewn out heart and beckoning grasp of the kneeling woman. It is on this image that my gaze lingered as I sought my way through the audio content..."

And about the album, in the same review:

"Vinum Intus (which I translate to something like the 'Wine Within'), is a 'pretty' album, glistening with sorrows and regrets against the overbearing rasp of front man Mikko Kotamäki, and if you give yourself able chance to lose yourself to its charms, then it's not a terrible way to spend a winter afternoon. "