Wolfshade is another act proudly flying the French black metal flag. To say the country boasts some of the most intriguing bands the genre has to offer is no word of a lie however I think it best to judge an album on music alone rather than to simply pigeonhole them based on nationality. With the two previous releases, Wolfshade has simply existed as a solo project of one Kadhaas, although here he has drafted in a couple of extra members to make a more complete line up.
Musically this is seriously laid back stuff – of course if your idea of laid back is The Beautiful South then chances are you would disagree but for me the ethereal and contemplative nature of this album really made me want to close my eyes and drift through the music. The guitars shimmer in the mix, as a low hum seems to sway around creating a feeling of hollowness. ‘Bene Elohim’ definitely takes things into a more sorrowful state, with a richly repetitive guitar sound drenched in melancholy while the vocals flit from a sinister whisper to a dry, tortured shriek. There are certainly shades of Agalloch to be found in this one, in the beautiful unhurried melodies that feels rather like an autumnal stroll through secluded woodlands.
Tracks are typically lengthy, with ‘Au Tombeau des illusions’ the longest at over 10 minutes. This takes in long, instrumental passages while the vocals work well with the music almost blending in and becoming one with it. This track is especially wistful in places with an otherworldliness that at times has me thinking of fellow Frenchies Les Discrets. ‘Thrénodie pour un astre mourant’ is really dark and brooding, and the clean French spoken parts give an interesting flavour to this one too. The bass is especially dense while the keyboards lay on the apocalyptic overtones and has me thinking of a haunting lullaby signalling the end of days. ‘Le Réfugié des Passions’ projects an underlying strength, a dark beat that verges on the Gothic while the keyboards swoosh around building on the ambience, and the final track on the album is by far the most intense and despairing track and brings everything nicely to a close.
Is When Above likely to create waves in the underground? Probably not, as it doesn’t cover any new ground as such, however fans of pine-scented black metal will appreciate this as a very nicely produced piece of music and no doubt enjoy the atmosphere and emotion Kadhaas and co. manage to successfully convey.
http://www.myspace.com/wolfshade7
