A reviewer of my acquaintance, currently stricken with a dose of Covid-19, noted he really pitied the first band who send him a sub-par offering to review. The combination of lockdown, isolation and illness affects our spirit in different ways you see and this in escapable. I mention this as it too has had a significant effect on how this ‘split’ has been received by myself. That is, as I said, inescapable.

This split is around eighty minutes long and effectively comprises four, four track EPs bundled together. The title is very indicative and re-imagining, and exploring roots. I can’t say much on that as Fellwarden are the only project here I was previously aware of, but as to what we have here. Well, I am not going through track by track. But hopefully can give a feel for what this is about

Firstly By The Spirits offer a quiet instrumental, dreamy and arboreal affair, before we wade into neofolk. Clear, delicate and insular ‘Solitary’ encompasses deep, slightly gravelly vocals but with such a rich tone. They wander through the world where neo-classical meets neo folk, without actually moving from their cell. They exemplify isolation and insular across their sombre songs, even wallow in it. The production, as with all of this is spot on though and brings out tastes of Arcana and Dead Can Dance bound to The Devil’s Trade. 5/10

Then Fellwarden enter. This is immediately so very recognisable and despite being semi-acoustic could nestle on any of their albums. They entice, they haunt and unlike their predecessor they take us out to explore. Restless wanderer that The Watcher is, their sound conjures misty hills, barren but beautiful moors and crags, hidden lakes and steady footsteps ever travelling. At a time when my body can go nowhere this takes my mind. 8.5/10

Mosaic begin with windswept spoken word and waves, German, harsh and grim. Then they move into sparse and sharp neofolk. It neither comforts nor intrigues me I’m afraid, it simply amplifies my imprisonment. Perhaps that’s what it is about. I don’t know. But it pushes me away so I drift. 3/10

Finally we greet Osi And The Jupiter. Folk, acoustic but it has the gentle touch of Americana in its carefully strummed and picked guitar. It is dark but it is at least warm. I am shocked into recalling a long forgotten EP that of all people Phil Anselmo did with his short time partner Jewel under the moniker of Southern Isolation, and of Alice In Chains ‘Jar Of Flies’. The vocals are on the verge of breaking, wracked with emotion. But they too travel; closing track ‘Oak Hurst’ full of its journey and sadness and the feel of their home calling them back. Absolutely beautiful. 8.5/10

The problem with this is timing for me. I have listened to this more than dozen times, really listened, and the conclusion I am left with is that two of the artists merely highlighted and amplified my isolation and imprisonment and brought nothing else to the table, nothing to ease the ache. Whilst the other two allowed my mind to travel with them and think of what has gone before and what might be again. And that I needed. The other? Not so much.

(6/10 Gizmo) 

https://www.facebook.com/bythespirits

https://www.facebook.com/fellwarden

https://www.facebook.com/mosaicofthefallenone

https://www.facebook.com/osifolk

https://music.bythespirits.com/album/songs-of-origin-and-spirit