August 28, 2010

Reviewer: Chris

October Falls has been very impressive with its releases of dark folk-inspired metal. As a brainchild of M. Lehto, he creates some very atmospheric metal with varying degrees of folk influence throughout. Originally the project began as an ambient effort that focused on nature and like elements, but the ‘black’ influence crept in around the 2007 offering The Streams of the End EP and has remained a constant theme since. It was a drastic switch but not a bad decision by any means.

Broken up into three parts, A Collapse of Faith delivers the right sound with which to overcome personal subjugation. It’s a vehicle of sound and essence that is casually uplifting in spots, only to let you crash hard to the earth in a moment, quite literally providing a soundtrack for the common person’s loss of vision or faith in life, be it with religion, humanity or whatever state you wish to channel. To the willing mind, A Collapse of Faith designs an entire carousel of emotional deluge with one track flowing right into the next so as to follow the train of consciousness the music creates. There’s a lot happening here in what might appear to be a smaller frame of reference, but the music is very good and the senses tapped with the three tracks are carefully taken for a ride.

Lehto has always managed to provide the listener with some visuals through his music, especially on 2007’s Sarastus, which was an all-acoustic masterpiece. Proving he can engage the same senses with a heavier, speedier sound Collapse moves along within its slower passages of acoustic employ in perfect concert with the ringing tones of electric instrumentation that never get boring or droning like some music of this style. It would be best to take in this release in one sitting without peripheral distractions to truly get the gist of what Lehto is trying to convey here. As I said, in the right frame of mind this can be a very rewarding experience not to be missed if possible. 

The chaos towards the middle of “Part II” is shattered so neatly with a lovely piano piece towards the end that meshes into the frame so perfectly that you actually feel your mind slowing along with the music. Usually you would wait for the obstreperous shoe to drop with such beauty, but the tone stays consistent so you can rest before “Part III” picks up steam and eases you quickly, yet evenly into the faster pace again. It was a wonderful experience I will admit.

I am glad to hear such dark music that doesn’t need to rely on the overt devices that seems to be a requirement these days. In the smaller sphere of things, The Collapse of Faith gives me a blast of faith that someone out there grasps the concept and moves the music with obvious care and effort.       

Release Date: May 21st, 2010
Label: Debemur Morti  Records

TRACK LISTING

1.  A Collapse of Faith Part I
2.  A Collapse of Faith Part II
3.  A Collapse of Faith Part III

Total playing time:  41:59

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October Falls - A Collapse of Faith