Review Summary: Epigone is an imposing piece of work that has been studiously crafted and sequenced perfectly to bring the listener on a wild journey through the imagination of this dynamic bunch of players.
With the immaculately sculptured symphonic/progressive folk metal Wilderun created, produced and self-released from 2012’s Olden Tales & Deathly Trails to 2019’s masterful Veil of Imagination, the biggest question on the lips of fans was how this extremely talented and professional band remained unsigned to a reputable metal label. In fact, while taking shots at lazy A&R folks, it was a point this writer immediately posed to the band in a 2020 interview for Decibel, to which vocalist/guitarist Evan Berry responded by saying that bad timing might have been the issue. Adding, “I also imagine it’s not the easiest task to promote 8-10-minute long songs! Luckily we’ve gotten a bit more attention lately, so I think the future is looking more bright in that regard.”
Indeed it did. Not long after, Wilderun announced they had been snapped up by Century Media and this signing resulted in the re-release of Veil of Imagination, which provided the last element necessary for this hard-working band to break through to a larger audience: a strong PR push. Therefore it’s safe to say that for the first time since Wilderun formed in 2008, and also due to the creative success of Veil, now they have a sizable global audience anticipating their next move.
Such increased pressure and responsibility to deliver would crack a lesser band. But Wilderun, having self-financed their previous albums as an independent act, are no strangers to balancing life, work and art stresses, and from the first listen to their Century Media debut, it’s apparent that they have taken it all in their stride. All the previous musical traits of the band are present and correct on Epigone, but the biggest point of intrigue is in how Wilderun manage to arrange the folk, death metal, progressive rock/metal and orchestral elements in novel ways.
As is the case with most progressive rock/metal records, Epigone will not those with the attention spans of a gnat. This LP requires time and effort from the listener in order to fully absorb the arrangements and the subtleties involved. And Wilderun set their stall from the outset by making those wanting the distortion and deep demonic bellows to arrive wait for the pay-off. Opener “Exhaler”, with its gentle acoustic strumming and scraping strings that sound like birdsong, delicate clean singing and understated symphonic swells, is akin to the work folk legend Nick Drake or post-rock soundscapers Godspeed You! Black Emperor. “Woolgatherer” mainstains similar restraint during its early passages before the extremity this band can wield just as effectively hits the listener off-guard due to the lighter dynamics preceding it. This labyrinthine song remains in constant motion, seamlessly morphing through its many cohesive movements, as Gentle Giant-like pastoral prog, rhythmic workouts that recall Rush, epic Hans Zimmer-style blockbuster codas and the powerful death metal of Opeth circa Blackwater Park, to highlight a few, dazzle the listener.
Each track here is consciously arranged to segue into the next, presenting the nine songs as one continuous piece of music. The instrumental “Ambition” acts as a brief respite for the listener after the metallic bombast of “Passenger” and “Identifier” showcase male choirs over heavier sections, touches of latter day Enslaved in regal riff choices, classy lead guitars and swift tempo jolts. “Ambition” also sets up the “Distraction” suite that closes out the album. Parts “I & II” thrill with the symphonic sounds meeting gnarly, twisting syncopations that push to an overwhelming ending. “Distraction III” scales proceedings down to a synth and string arrangement replete with a tasty guitar solo finish, ending just as “Distraction Nulla” burns everything of beauty to the ground. A full frenzy noisescape that feels like being sucked through a wormhole.
Epigone is an imposing piece of work that has been studiously crafted and sequenced perfectly to bring the listener on a wild journey through the imagination of this dynamic bunch of players. Hopefully Wilderun will continue to maintain the stylistic balance they’ve mastered to date while continuing to push the artistic envelope when it comes to presenting how contrasting symphonic and folk sounds can exist in unison with extreme metal without weakening the latter’s impact.
