If you’re like me and you love rainy days, just staring out the window watching it fall, or maybe even going for a walk while it’s coming down; you’re in for a treat with October Falls newest release The Plague Of A Coming Age. A dark folk metal album, or more so a black metal album with drab atmospherics, it’s perfect for days of calm, dark weather.
From the start of the album a rather drab tone is set. The clang of cattle bells (not cowbell, sorry!) and drums open up then explode with a cascading view of the mountains. Slow-paced riffs sit atop a gorgeous mix of music, the bass audible and the drums sound organic. The epic feel from tracks like ‘Bloodlines’ and ‘Mouth of a Nation’s Harlots’ is well complimented by the acoustic and barebones nature of ‘Boiling Heart of the North’ and ‘Snake of The Old World’. ‘Snakes…’ does eventually break in the end to give way to beautiful musical climax, fading at the end with the clang of more bells, proving this album is still moving. ‘The Weight of the Fallen’ has some rather nice running bass lines that stand out toward the end. They build to the transition to album closer ‘Below the Soils’, a track that has the peak swept wind roaring through it, chilling you to the bones as you try to keep dry and possibly wiping wipe the rain and tears from your face.
October Falls have made a very epic album with The Plague Of A Coming Age, but a strong and not overdone album. They could very well have milked the formula, as others have in the past. Instead they know when to stop and not become over indulgent or forceful. The music just moves well. With a set of soul-jarring vocals throughout the album, this is the perfect soundtrack for a walk in less than perfect weather. Maybe even a day in front of the fireplace. Any situations really, just do it alone, and peek inside yourself.
The Plague Of A Coming Age is available now through Debemur Morti Productions. I also encourage you to dig a bit into their discography if this is music that suits your tastes, you won’t be disappointed.
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HAIL!!!
