Susurrus by Ophidian Forest
Hailing from Croatia, the Netherlands, and San Francisco, the three members of Ophidian Forest have never rehearsed together. Still they’ve managed to record three albums of chaotic pantheist black metal that owes a debt to Glorior Belli, Deathspell Omega, and drummer/dulcimer player Otrebor’s own plant-themed Botanist project.
Susurrus is the final full length from the band, and finds them pursuing a straight forward but clattering sound that seems simultaneously distant but full. Evocative, funereal synths meet the metallic ring of hammered dulcimer under a canopy of wildlife and birdsong, recalling the nature worship of near-forgotten pagan tradition.
If this is truly the last record from this mysterious trio then they end things appropriately, as the raging black metal fades out one final time, the sound of a forest at night comes in, reminding listeners where the real mystery dwells.
AWP022
Tracklist
| 1. | Evocations | 11:19 |
| 2. | Mistletoe Damnation - Seeds of Grief | 8:13 |
| 3. | The Church is Empty. | 6:51 |
| 4. | An Elegy of Birds | 7:56 |
| 5. | The Imminent | 4:46 |
| 6. | Tanfana | 5:24 |
| 7. | The Magpie | 21:36 |
Credits
Amalgamoth - vocals, keyboards
Otrebor - drums, hammered dulcimer
Zaragil - guitar, bass
All songs by Ophidian Forest
All lyrics by Amalgamoth
Mixed and mastered by Jack Shirley
Cover art and lettering by Candace Jensen
Layout by Aidan O'Flynn
License
All rights reserved.Tags
Recommendations
A Bay Area based label dedicated primarily to the release of unique and original black metal with the occasional experimental or ambient release thrown in for good measure.