This is an intriguing proposition from Norway, a new act featuring some old friends taking things in an unexpected direction. Vocally we have ex Tristania singer Vibeke Stene who is naturally associated with symphonic metal. With her we are joined instrumentally by Asgeir Mickelson ex of Borknagar as well as many other acts and currently with Spiral Architect. Putting them together what sort of music would you expect? Well I am not sure if doom would be your first choice and if you are wondering how it all works Veil Of Secrets will possibly provide that answer.
It’s all to do with cross pollination of styles and on the one hand as first track ‘The Last Attempt’ swaggers in with rugged furrowing and strong melody all seems favourable. Then Vibeke joins in and it all goes frankly a little strange. Not hitting the rafters stylistically this is still very much an operatically flavoured approach and at first it is likely going to have you scratching your head as to whether it works or not. The doom is very much present as the song settles, there are violins courtesy of Sareeta (Ram-Zet, ex-Ásmegin) and flavours that are very much in the My Dying Bride vein due to this. Vibeke tempers them with her dulcet tones in a gentle and morose fashion, this is certainly not a performance that is strident though and perhaps understated from her past, more upbeat style bringing with it, well a sense of doom and sorrow in poetic approach. As we ease into ‘Sear The Fallen’, with some moribund and near gothic touches this is more in the vein of bands such as Rain Fell Within and Autumn Tears with classical elements subtly unveiling themselves to these dark symphonies. Adding yet another occasional element on songs such as ‘Remorseful Heart’ a tale no doubt of lovelorn betrayal we have some beastly growling courtesy of Erling Malm (Endolith, Articulus). Some classical guitar gives an acoustic voice and further neo-classical flavours to ‘The Lie Of Her Properity’ and by now one should be used to the vocal interplay with the music; however it is an odd match and even after several plays of the album I can’t say it is gelling completely for me. I like both elements but putting them together just doesn’t seem to work and I think that is going to be the main stumbling point some may have to the enjoyment of the album.
Whatever way you look at it a song like ‘Fey’ is a by numbers plodder instrumentally and I have found myself being a little worn down by the album at its half-way mark, after the opening peak we are certainly hitting a trough here and despite the distinction of the vocals, things are at a bit of a Wuthering Low. Just as the gloom and doom begins to get pulpable some growls and an injection of energy see ‘Bryd’ picking things up a gear but another thing I feel is missing here are the lyrics and I could definitely do with seeing them and following these somewhat dour tales that are becoming more apparent an acquired taste. Hopefully others will find the depths to this that I am missing but sadly I feel I am going to have to admit defeat on the whole here which is a shame as I should have really liked this
(6/10 Pete Woods)
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