And with a slow, ominous drumbeat, the lapping of restless waves and choral, almost Nordic voices Nre of And Now The Owls Are Smiling introduces his latest conjuring of isolation.
As soon as the riff breaks loose on ‘Rejection’ you immediately know who to recommend this fine project to first: Fans of Winterfylleth, Fellwarden, Saor and Ante-Inferno would take to this sombre wall of melodic black metal so easily. Compared to the last album, the production has taken yet another step forward for me, too. It is filled with depth and the rise of the introspective, sombre melodies within is handled beautifully. ‘Darkness’ has almost uplifting passages, the thousand-yard stare of a person alone yet not giving in and this album brings that out deftly without pulling its bitter teeth.
I think that’s one of the aspects of ANTOAS that attracts me most. There is amidst the grey vistas and the isolated existence a stoicism to this music. The infrequent use of clean vocals as well as adding to the melody has a way to hit the heart full on and combined with the fantastic and varied harsh vocals somehow creates the image of the soul assailed but, somehow, surviving. A spirit undiminished by adversity though deeply scarred.
Listening to ‘Solitude’ I was, perhaps for the first time, struck by how much this music could cross boundaries too. The flowing melody in this called to mind a black metal cousin to the wonderful Countless Skies and I genuinely think fans of theirs could really find a lot in this. Although different in style obviously, there is a kindred spirit in the talent for drawing a thread of melody from the storm that both possess in exemplary form.
‘Acceptance’ with a slower pace, reflective clear and clean vocals
So here is the journey: Grief, Rejection, Darkness, Solitude, Lucidity, Pointlessness and finally Acceptance leading to Ascension. Acceptance of what? Ascension to where? Well, I prefer to think of it as rising above the desperation and the closing in of walls in the aftermath of trauma. I’ve never seen myself as an optimist but in the end, walking, struggling through the trials Nre portrays here I still find hope and a tranquillity that comforts within this music. A bone-weary sadness maybe but still a gentle strength of spirit that I cleave to. The comforting grip of misery perchance?
It’s another fine album from And Now The Owls Are Smiling, another soft development, a step on their path. I’m not sure if they count as a ‘one of the best kept secrets’ any longer but what they are is for me one of the keystones of the independent of spirit UK wide black metal scene.
A fine, poignant start to the year indeed.
(8.5/10 Gizmo)
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