ALBUM REVIEW: Winterfylleth, "The Hallowing of Heirdom"

By: Richard Maw

Album Type: Full Length

Date Released: 06/04/2018

Label: Candlelight Records |

Spinefarm Records

“Winterfylleth have created a superb album here- one of atmosphere, melancholy and mystery. Indeed, much like the landscapes that inspired it, there is beauty to be found here in abundance if you are willing to give it a try.”

“The Hallowing of Heirdom” CD//DD//LP track listing:

1. The Shepherd
2. Frithgeard
3. Æcerbot
4. Halgemonath
5. Elder Mother
6. Embers
7. A Gleeman’s Volt
8. Latch to a Grave
9. The Nymph
10. On-Cýdig
11. Resting Tarn
12. The Hallowing of Heirdom

The Review:

Winterfylleth have always done things a little differently- no faux-satanic posing for them. No corpsepaint. No spikes and bullet belts. However, they remain a black metal band. On this record, though, they depart from the sonic tropes of black metal entirely and have instead turned in a gothic folk album. If you picked up their career spanning compendium a few years back and heard their version of “John Barleycorn Must Die”, then you have a pretty good reference point for what is contained here.

Twelve tracks of acoustic guitar, violin, percussion and vocals that range from choral to droning- no screams or growls necessary. Winterfyllethhave always been a band enthralled with nature and landscape. “The Shepherd”, inspired by the Marlowe poem, and the title track are clear odes to the land, while the title of “Resting Tarn” makes explicit overtures to the land and the people of it, but elsewhere the influence of  nature and folklore is just as strong.

The melodic “Æcerbot”, the melancholic and moody “Halgemonath”, the elegant “Edler Mother”- they all make use of violin and textured acoustic guitars and set a mood of contemplation and wistfulness. At well over 50mins in length the album does not feel like a short listen. Indeed, how much of the album you can listen to in one go may be determined by your love (or lack thereof) of the sounds described here. It is certainly not for everybody, but those who are fans of dark folk will find a lot to like here. “Latch To A Grave” is as dark as anything you will find on most orthodox black metal records, while “The Nymph” is a good deal prettier, with its female voice-over and light atmospherics. The production and recording is also excellent- headed up by the evergreen Chris Fielding of Skyhammer Studio.

Winterfylleth have created a superb album here- one of atmosphere, melancholy and mystery. Indeed, much like the landscapes that inspired it, there is beauty to be found here in abundance if you are willing to give it a try.

“The Hallowing of Heirdom”is available here

Band info: bandcamp || facebook