You know, it’s funny. I was watching a certain group of Northern miserablists not long ago, when midway through the set, my other half, who has slightly softer tastes than yours truly, turned to me and droned “This is really depressing.” Ah, semantics! Personally I find nothing quite so uplifting as a bit of miserable, melancholic doom to listen to when I’m down in the dumps. It is like shoving the proverbial middle finger up at all those who insist on callously telling you to cheer up, instead allowing one to wallow rather self-indulgently in their own misery and come around in their own time.
Few seem to fit that idealism as well as Six Waves Of Woe. Certainly no-one could accuse Niclas Frohagen of being a ray of sunshine; although maybe he could be the black cloud that blocks the sun out if we’re going to talk about the weather. It seems all too perfect when the press release informs me that Forest Of Shadows is a solo-project, as the lyrics are not exactly those of a raving socialite. The further I am drawn in to this album, the more it gives the impression of being ‘Detached’ from the world; kind of like walking through it all in a daze as though you are looking at the world from some distant planet. Not attached. Not a part of it. The track in question has something of a Katatonia feel to it, with the despairing vocals and clean guitar sound, that all swells into a tearful and yet powerful chorus as the deathly vocals come to the fore.
There is an even balance between the calm and clean melodies and deathly swells which makes up a lovely dynamic, while keeping an unmistakably melancholy feel throughout. It’s a fairly predictable listen, and on this occasion that is meant as a compliment. This is an incredibly relaxing listen that acts almost as a lullaby in places, such as towards the end of ‘Moments In Solitude’ as the intensity drops to a mournful piano line that comes to a gradual halt. There are plenty of shifts in terms of dynamics, but the structure remains constant throughout; there are no weird time signatures to throw you off and this allows you to drift almost into a soporific state. ‘Self Destructive’ again takes us through an intense sea of emotion that you can easily become totally submerged in. The beautiful guitar melodies here have me drawing a comparison to Swallow The Sun, with that woeful yet warm and enveloping sound, while there are occasional moments where the music carries an epic flavour that enters Mourning Beloveth terrain.
There is nothing about this that hasn’t been done before, but that isn’t necessarily a bad thing; when all is said and done, what is truly original these days? It doesn’t detract from the fact that this is an excellently executed, honest and downright desolate bit o’ doom that really invokes the emotions. Listen for yourself.
http://www.forestofshadows.com
http://www.luggamusic.com
