To say I've been obsessed with Falls of Rauros since hearing them in late 2006 would be but an understatement since the band pretty much became a favorite through their debut, 'Into the Archaic' back then and the follow-up EP, ‘Of Stone and Stars in the Sky’ in 2007 revealed two utterly amazing new songs, one of which is nothing short of being one of the best black metal songs I've personally ever heard (both re-recorded here on their second album). So expectations for this debut were high, but much to my delight Falls of Rauros released what I believe to be the finest entry in the black metal genre in 2008 and surely an album I’ll be listening to for many, many years to come.
The band describes their music as 'North Appalachian Heathen Black Folk Metal,' and I'd say it fits them perfectly. Imagine a sound reminiscent of early Ulver, Wyrd, Satyricon mixed with Agalloch and Woods of Ypres and perhaps even a prog band like Opeth due to the long and ever changing song structures found in Falls of Rauros’ music. Although the production is not perfect (this may turn some listeners off) and the drums sound a bit odd at times its the overall mood and the highly impressive guitar work that never fails to be perfect on, 'Hail Wind and Hewn Oak.' Falls writes some of the absolute most sinister, beautiful and dreadfully sorrowful sounding guitar riffs I've heard from a black metal band in a long time. I should also mention that the acoustic sections are blissful, the brief usage of synthesizers is tasteful and atmospheric and the few guitar solos spread out through the album are just epic in their magnitude.
If you don’t mind I’d like to personally analyze my favorite song on this album as well. The second song, ‘The Fire we Fathered’ has literally become one of if not my favorite black metal song since it first appeared on the aforementioned EP in 2007 and the revamped version found on this album is even grander. It’s rare when you hear a song that holds such an ever changing sentiment and actually remains interesting, but that’s exactly what this twelve minute epic does. I feel that this song unmistakably starts out rather peaceful and almost joyful sounding at certain points with the beautiful guitar harmonies and backing choir vocals amongst the blackened screams and raging drums and guitars. However a little past the six minute mark something malevolent takes control the mood descends to utter darkness and despair. Suddenly the music shifts to a doom metal like pace with only an acoustic guitar, drums and an electric guitar playing an absolutely menacing riff are heard amongst some whispered vocals. Then at the eight and half minute mark the music picks up and this guitar riff truly becomes one of most poignant and depressive sounding things I’ve ever heard in a black metal song. A wave of chilling frost washes over me and the hairs on both my arms and the back of my neck stick on end as an atmospheric synth passage eventually makes its appearance and closes this song out perfectly. I absolutely love this song!
Now, I wouldn’t have minded some lyrics in the booklet, but the nice landscape nature shots found instead certainly do set the mood perfectly for this album too. Speaking of which try listening to this album in your car while driving around on a snowy evening or while walking through a forest; the effect is gigantic and it would seem this is exactly what these four guys intended when they wrote/recorded this album.
Truly, ‘Hail Wind and Hewn Oak’ is an album for the ages and a tremendous breath of fresh air in the often stagnant black metal scene. I find that I never tire of these brilliant songs one bit and occasionally I even notice things I hadn’t heard previously. In the future if they fix the production issues they could very well be the next big thing within the folk infused black metal genre, but even if they stay the way they are currently I’ll still have an infinite passion for Falls of Rauros’ music.
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