Fans of the legendary Doom outfit Woods of Ypres (RIP David Gold) are aware of bands’ legacy in the North American Doom Metal scene. Former WoY members Joel Violette and Rae Amitay (Immortal Bird) have carried on a kinship through their work together in Thrawsunblat. More of a doom and Dark Folk side-project, it is their link to to the past and boldness to move forward which courses through fourth album IV: Great Brunswick Forest (Ignifera Records).
Opener ‘Green Man of East Canada’ is a speedier, acoustic version of the parent band, a seriously rhythmic Folk song, given that pacy injection by a glorious riff and fiddle interludes. Violette’s low, resonant vocal isn’t far away from Gold’s unnerving bass voice, while Amitay’s drumming is subtle yet remains effective. The ensuing ‘Here I Am a Fortress’ maintains that rhythm yet adds an element of the steel that band are known for: maudlin yet passionate verses raising to howled choruses, with staccato strings adding a fiery, Latin-esque effect.
https://thrawsunblat.bandcamp.com/album/great-brunswick-forest
It is a sound that fills the soul. ‘Via Canadensis’ harks again to the band’s motherland, a harsh background riff layered with acoustic lead and more of those inspiring mantras. ‘Song of the Summit’ is more melancholy yet Violette proves a powerful storyteller, a troubadour of nature with an authentic Folk voice, soaring alongside the eerie keys of the track’s second half. ‘Thus Spoke the Wind’ is striking in its sad beauty, might and inventiveness: marvellously adept fiddles duelling with dipping and rising guitars, all dictated by Amitay’s amazing stickwork.
The title track is so pregnant with emotion that tears flow from the listener in cataracts, the gorgeous tone of the guitars complementing Violette’s lament perfectly, the harmonies and mournful fiddle affecting the spirit. ‘Singer of Ageless Times’ is atmospheric and shimmering, becoming electrified and emboldened as the track progresses whilst maintaining its indigenous and primitive feel to leave hairs standing on the back of one’s neck.
Closer ‘Dark Sky Sanctuary’ is another song to melt the heart but a perfect finale: the fragile melody of the first movement ceding to fiercely strummed strings which nevertheless allow the harmonies of Violette retains the emotion. Great Brunswick Forest is a wonderful album, immersive and stirring, and carries on Gold’s legacy by paring back the Metal whilst firing the remaining body with a tuneful urgency.
8.0/10.0
PAUL QUINN