Review Summary: Chapter 6 - Roots Entrenched In Memory's Blood
“Beacons of war
Beacons of sorrow
Flames that yearn
For blood on the 'morrow”
The fourth album in Britain's 'post-black metal' genre-cornerstones, sees Fen all at once more aggressive, confident, stylistically adventurous, and compositionally daring than ever. From the remarkable track lengths, extensive, bold intros and lush, instrumental outros, to the marked improvements in vocal and instrumental performances, intuitive lyrics, and the superb balance of the production, which is crisp and well mixed, without betraying the organic, atmospheric roots of the group. Speaking of the mix, mixing and mastering was handled by doom metal legend, Greg Chandler, of Esoteric fame, which the intro track (I inferred) contains a respectful nod to. (You'll know when you hear it!) All in all, my hopes were high for this record, to say the very least, and, on paper, Carrion Skies brings forth an impressive repertoire. Does Fen live up to the hype they've worked so hard to achieve?
“Burned By The Embers Of The Dying Stars”
Forgoing (or rather, abridging) a track-by-track format, I'll touch briefly on the content directly (itself serving to inform the meta-narrative and experience of the record), before addressing the broader context and character of the album. Our journey begins with the ambitious two-part self-titled opener. The considerable improvement in production and instrumental execution is immediately appreciable, and the piece aptly flows through a wide range of styles and tones, serving as a rousing, worthy opener. The first standout of the record comes with "The Dying Stars". We are greeted by a chilling-yet-intriguing intro, building gracefully into a stirring burst of energy, before charging into a percussion-driven foray, weaving effortlessly in and out of intense rushes, and winding down into a cathartic, emotive, tender passage. The song climbs and swells with confidence, before finally culminating in a gorgeous, haunting outro. This is one of the finest pieces this wonderful group has ever achieved, and you owe it to yourself to listen to this in the dark, and more specifically under the night sky (preferably with headphones).
"Sentinels" swaggers with rock-like confidence, grooving unashamedly, evolving into an anthemic, fist-pumping choral shout, and "Gathering The Stones" captivates with momentous percussive rolls and resonant vocal performances, closing the album with an extensive, lush acoustic farewell. "Menhir - Supplicant" surges with violence, urgency, passion, and engrossing beauty, all while building to an awe-inspiring climax; it is truly a band-defining track (their second greatest accomplishment, next to Hands Of Dust), and the overall album highlight.
“To name is to remember
To remember is to summon
To give form from memory”
Carrion Skies, stylistically, ventures into yet newer territory, revitalized themes, emboldened textures, and renewed focus. As I perceive them, Malediction Fields (and Ancient Sorrow) can be characterized by the element of Earth. Epoch, by the element of (stormy) Water, in all its gloom and depth. Dustwalker, by the element of Air, in all its wispy playfulness and violence. Carrion Skies can be characterized by the element of Fire, in all its destructive and creative capacities. The themes of fire, loss, destruction, and the harnessing and control of mankind are explored throughout. Carrion Skies possesses the lyrical and atmospheric focus of Epoch, with the progressive exploration of Dustwalker, all while being markedly more aggressive than anything the group has done up to this point, and yet no less complex and dynamic in the compositional subtleties rewarded from multiple listens. In short, Carrion Skies is a massive step forward for Fen as songwriters.
It is entirely the case that I initially thought this album was great, but have only ever come to adore it more with subsequent listens. This album's individual tracks stand strongly on their own, without requiring fuller context to appreciate, and, all the same, are further improved in their full experience. The whole is greater than the sum of its parts, but its parts are dynamic, bursting with life, and worthwhile experiences that reward revisiting. (Even the bloody bonus tracks are incredible!) Genuinely, my only gripe with this record is that the stunning, serene bonus track "Trilithon" was not featured on the main album (it fits gorgeously between Sentinels and Menhir), and that Menhir's superb climax ends somewhat abruptly. This is a remarkably well crafted, mixed, and performed record, a career achievement for a proven brilliant band, and a reaffirmation of the essential components and character of the group, while also reinvigorating and laying groundwork for future possibilities. Fen's Carrion Skies is a surging, adventurous, passionate, triumphant eulogy, bursting with vitality and destruction, and an absolute genre essential. Congratulations to Fen; may they have many fine years to come, and may they find their way into your heart as well.
“Calling... Nameless... Rootless”
Recommended Tracks:
Menhir - Supplicant
The Dying Stars
Trilithon
Gathering The Stones
