Country: England
- Genre: Atmospheric Black Metal / Post-Black Metal / Progressive Black Metal
- For fans of: Agalloch, Enslaved, Altar of Plagues, Woods of Ypres
Fen – Elemental Part One: Mourning Earth
Fen from London return with their eighth full-length, “Elemental Part One: Mourning Earth”, an album that opens a new chapter for the band. It is the first part of a two-part thematic work and at the same time a return to elements of their older sound, but with the experience and strength they have gained over all these years.
From “Glacier” it becomes clear that Fen don’t simply want to rewrite their past. There are the familiar atmospheric guitars and black metal outbursts, but this time more prog elements and heavier riffs come in. The track builds gradually and truly opens up toward the end.
“Tectonic” is one of the points that stand out. It has groove, a heavier guitar and plenty of changes within the first minutes, without losing the melody. Here the band’s evolution shows more, as the black metal ties in with more heavy metal rhythms and fuller playing.
“Massif” continues in a more dynamic direction, while on “Abyssal Plain” Fen leave more room for atmosphere. The guitars and production create a big, cinematic picture, without becoming overly loaded. “Moor” closes the record with the same slower and more atmospheric character.
The first half of the album personally draws more attention, because it has more movement and changes. The second, though, works very well as a calmer and darker continuation. With a duration of about 47 minutes, “Elemental Part One: Mourning Earth” doesn’t tire you out and shows a band that now knows how to use its old sound without staying stuck in it.
Press Play Here and Listen 👇
Tracklist
- Glacier
- Tectonic – 06:06
- Massif – 07:27
- Abyssal Plain – 05:36
- Barrow
- Moor
