In these turbulent times where we have been plunged into a world of uncertainty, lockdown, isolation and ever spiralling death tolls I am sure we are all looking for a psychological release until humanity wins this battle against the biggest pandemic of several generations.
Some may turn towards pummelling death metal (there has to be some irony in that) or perhaps another of our beloved genres for escapism and to let off steam but there is also a call for something more serene and I personally keep finding myself coming back to the more melancholic, ambient releases in my collection, including Forndom and specifically his latest offering, Faþir. I have to apologise that it has taken me a while to produce this review, but this is not necessarily a bad thing as it gave me to time to fully absorb and appreciate this sublime masterpiece.
Based in rural, central Sweden, the Forndom world centres around the cultures and traditions of ancient Scandinavia, and through the medium of music, Forndom carries us back to these distant times. Using repetitive, hypnotic beats as its foundation, the layers are built up with classical instruments and subtle ambient choirs augmenting the haunting vocals of H.L.H. Swärd creating eloquent and emotional soundscapes.
The stand out passage for me was the sublime Yggdrasil, although the album is best considered as one piece of music rather than stand-alone tracks, eloquently building with swathes of melancholy and introspection over the course of its relatively short 35 minutes.
This for me is the culmination of the Forndom history with the strongest release to date, something to lose yourself in, something to carry you away, something to help you escape from the frightening scenario unfolding round our very feet.
(9.5/10 Andy Pountney)
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