By Dave Guzda
J.R.R. Tolkien's inspirational trilogy the Lord of the Rings has been inspiring musicians for decades. Most recently Tolkien's pre-eminent work of fantasy has inspired Canadian solo artist Vultyrous, (working under the band name Ringbearer) to release ten tracks influenced by the trilogy. Those familiar with Vultyrous and his other musical endeavour Funeral Fornication might be expecting a jagged Black Metal influenced take on LotR. Well, tones of Black Metal do bubble to the surface occasionally, but, this is very clearly a fantasy themed dark ambient release. Ringbearer's album is entitled The Way is Shut which is based on a popular quote from Tolkien and The Return of the King: "The way is shut. It was made by those who are Dead, and the Dead keep it, until the time comes. The way is shut." Tolkien's world seems well suited to adaptation to dark ambient music.
The Way is Shut's journey begins on 'The Dimholt Road' which literally means 'dark wood'. And it is dark indeed. Ringbearer immerses the listener into a creepy cauldron of orchestral synth and heroic strings with hints of something ominous lurking in the undercurrent. The Way is Shut's music is often grand in scope, with vivid, albeit subtle instrumentation which is immensely evocative in the vein of Fantasia. You can sense the dark spirits beckoning at the end of 'The Dimholt Road' with the majestic rising passage repeating then slowly fading out. It's very striking and powerful. By comparison the next track 'Treebeard' is full of chirping birds and forest atmospheres, well befitting the mighty Ent. Even with the cheerful forest ambiance Ringbearer works in some subtle lingering deep synth tones and gentle dreamlike keys that hint that more is afoot here. Possibly struggle, conflict or slow pondering in Oooooold Entish. Next 'Lady of the Goldenwood' takes centre stage and I felt the depiction accurately hit on the nature of her character with the unsettled piano, mysterious flute and sudden start/stops. I was a little surprised the track didn't, at some point, include some stronger instrumentation since she is 'greatest of Elven women'.
I felt the second half of The Way is Shut is where Ringbearer was at his best. The darker themed content allowed for slightly more aggressive, more Black Metal influenced instrumentation and it really worked. Starting with 'Caradhras', which is one of the mightiest peaks in the Misty Mountains, the ambiance really soars. The blowing winds, the long solemn notes and eerie ambients create a soundscape which is simultaneously dark and beautiful. Then the deep, distant slow drum hits: dum...dum...dum... which lead the track out to a perfect ending to one of my favourite tracks on 'The Way is Shut'. Then there is the track 'Nine Riders'; the Nazgûl, the wraiths... possibly Tolkien's most ominous creation. Ringbearer appropriately unleashes the most dramatic "black metal" tinged blasts for this song. The song starts off with upbeat keys and wispy, mysterious tones as if coming from a small town unaware of the impending doom of the 'Nine Riders' circling high above. Then *bam!* the terror of the Nine are let loose as frantic double bass drum combines with swirling screaming voices in a vivid fearsome and angry tonal torrent. This combines with snarling chaotic ambiance for a provocative and impactive composition.
The well conceived ambiance continues on the long walk through the 'Dead Marches'. Once again Ringbearer's portrays a grim, hopeless land with strained tones and unsettling percussion. The track really starts to feel like a long wander in a hedge maze on a gray foggy day which aptly depicts the undead marshland. The album ends with the climactic 'Lord of Angmar', who is the Lord of the Nazgûl, one of Tolkien's major antagonists in Lord of the Rings. The track contains the only lyrics on 'The Way is Shut', presumably a dire decree from the Lord himself. "Will this place which you now seek is so impermanent/ Not after tonight, not ever again/ Have your riots, convene your armies/ Rant, rail, gnash your teeth/ I will allow you that, for you need time to grieve your world ... There is only the world, and the whole of humanity / This is the end of your world..." *Gulp!* The music is dramatic and tense magnifying the wrathful words of the Nazgûl. The final minute of the track rings a positive tone however as it echoes with the warm tolling of bells and a gentle piano exit as if suggesting the hope of the Fellowship.
Ringbearer's musical undertaking is replete with engaging textures; some triumphant, some mystifying and mysterious, others ooze with the malignant wickedness of the Dark Lord. The themes and imagery of Tolkien's worlds are consistently and vividly realized through the colourful music composed by Vultyrous. The songs portray the drama and fantasy of Tolkien's masterpiece visiting both places and characters within the books. Listeners looking for imaginative and expressive dark ambient, or fans of Tolkien will want to give this 'precious' release a listen.
