Wolfshade - When Above...

France has been producing some solid black metal of late by way of bands like Aldaaron and Wolfshade, whose particular brand of black metal is interesting and intelligent enough to warrant special attention from the mass fan base. On the third release, Wolfshade incites us with When Above…, a brash and atmospheric venture into dark passages and torch-lit walkways that is a terrific mood setter.

The standout first and foremost is the pained vocals from Kadhaas that are seemingly neither contrived nor forced; it’s just this effortlessness that sets the album apart from its basic contemporaries. This type of agonized vocal really drives home the feel of dismalness over the tracks. As if the oppressive nature of the music wasn’t enough to solidify this release, when the vocals are issued in such fated design one can’t help but be drawn into the well of sadness and despair. This, for me, is always the mark of an engaging record. “Bene Elohim” is a prime example of such vocals that neither kill the mood with overzealousness nor muddy the water with formless yelping. It’s just painful and emotional delivery over some very atmospheric blackness that is sure to delight fans of Aldaaron or even some of the post-black shoegaze bands.

One of my favorite tracks is “Au Tombeau des Illusions”, which is like a minor catastrophe put to music. It’s somber, haunting tone creates a very comfortable apathy, especially when the vocals sort of slither in between chords almost unnoticed. When they do emerge, it’s honestly like a phoenix over dark water’s edge, creeping ever so slowly into your ears and devastating the norm around you. It’s honestly ten minutes of disturbed serenity you couldn’t piece together on the fly if you tried. This track alone is one of the better black metal pieces I’ve heard in some time, and that’s no exaggeration.

With some overly-decent production throughout, When Above…sets a caustic road behind itself, marking the pavement with indelible etchings of brilliant sadness in the form of black metal music. The twist and turns in the beginning of “Thrénodie pour un Astre Mourant” remind me of some of the Devil Doll arrangements, though that’s where the comparisons stop. There’s almost a mass-like feel to the track with the spoken verses over mesmerizing tones. It doesn’t get much more creative than this little earmark in France’s underground scene. I can’t rave enough about this little gem.

When you seek black metal without all of the rehearsed “agony” and “pain” usually manufactured between beers in some broken down basement studio, a band like Wolfshade pops up and takes you on a real sojourn into the empty we call hollowness and fear. It’s simply terrific in all aspects.

Release Date: August 9, 2010
Label: Wraith Productions

TRACK LISTING

1.  Restoration
2.  Ex Nihilo
3.  Bene Elohim
4.  Au Tombeau des Illusions
5.  Thrénodie pour un Astre Mourant
6.  Le Réfugié des Passions
7.  Incipit Vita Nova

Total playing time:  47:12

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*Comments:

Reviewer: Chris

February 2, 2011