If I remember rightly, Alda were meant to be in the UK at the moment, touring with Panopticon and Winterfylleth. That mouthwatering line up was set to be one of the gigs of the year, not least because it would have been my first opportunity to see the phenomenal Alda. For obvious reasons, the tour has been cancelled but we have at least got a new Alda album to soften the blow.
This is their fourth album, and their first release for six long years, and putting it simply, it is their best to date, staying true to their roots, but also evolving and pushing further their boundaries. The opening track ‘First Light’ is a gentle but sombre acoustic instrumental which draws you in and lays the foundation for the album before ‘Stonebreaker’ reverts to their atmospheric black metal side. Melodies remain prominent but there is a very solemn, melancholic atmosphere as the track ebbs and flows. ‘Drawn Astray’ begins with another short acoustic passage which abruptly switches back to the atmospheric black metal blueprint. During its ten minutes, it takes time to explore different atmospheres, using harsh black metal, clean vocals and acoustic passages which all sit together well.
When the black metal is raging, it is oppressive, with a murky edge and when the melodies take prominence there is a more epic feel but the atmosphere is predominantly despondent. ‘Forlorn Peaks’ clocks in at just under ten minutes and is perhaps a little more direct in its approach, not least with its pulsating bassline. As the track develops there are even hints of post rock sensibilities which surprisingly fit in well. Following these three epic tracks, ‘Loo-Wit- brings some respite in the form of a short acoustic passage, prior to the closing track ‘A Distant Fire’, which is a mammoth at 16 minutes and 37 seconds. The acoustic intro with its clean vocal duet feels warm and welcoming but also forlorn with an inherent sadness. The track soon builds into an epic atmospheric black metal masterpiece encompassing all facets of Alda’s sound, raging at times, introspective at others and thought provoking. The track closes out with ambient music subtly accompanied by the sound of birds chirping.
This is a fantastic atmospheric black metal album (on the “folk” end of the spectrum) and I have revisited this numerous times already and will undoubtedly continue to do so. Let’s hope that the UK dates get rescheduled some time soon……In the meantime, I highly recommend this to you.
(9/10 Andy Pountney)
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