black metal
I've always wondered why bands that are considered 'Hipster Black Metal', like WITTR, Deafheaven, Ghost Bath and Falloch manage to divide the opinions of the black metal community so much. We've reached a stage were perfectly good albums ('Moonlover' by Ghost Bath is a good example) get so much derision based solely on the appearance of a band that I'm honestly doubting if we forgot it's about the music and not appearances.
Sure, it's fine to mock a band that is blatantly ripping off black metal aesthetics, appearance and musical style in order to gain recognition (or even worse, to make money) but honestly, I've yet to see or hear a band do that. It could be me, but I feel being immersed in black metal culture for over 20 years I kind of have something to say about it.
WITTR have always divided opinons since their debut 'Diadem of 12 Stars'. Some people feel their Cascadian Black Metal and eco-awareness has no place in 'true' black metal, but after delivering stellar album after stellar album (okay, 'Celestite' was a bit of a misfire, even though it was still pretty good in its own right) this has become a moot point.
'Thrice Woven' sees WITTR return to what they do best: Cascadian Black Metal with a strong, audible connection to nature. It is this connection that has always made them stand out of the crowd and they are indeed one of the few bands that pull this off so well. Another band I feel also has this strong connection is Fauna. 'Thrice Woven' oozes atmosphere and is delivered with confidence; the whole album feels like a wondrous journey, gorgeous riffs and melodies interspersed with truly wonderful ambient passages and some great guest performances by Steve Von Till (Neurosis), Don McGreevy (Earth) and wonderful female vocals by Anna Von Hausswolf. Also more prominent are the synths this time. They were always a part of WITTR but on this album they are given a much more prominent place.
All in all, 'Thrice Woven' is yet again a spectacular album. The Weaver brothers know exactly what they want and have the true craftsmanship to express this. Witnessing it in a proper live setting i can see this being a magical experience....
Bjorn
Sure, it's fine to mock a band that is blatantly ripping off black metal aesthetics, appearance and musical style in order to gain recognition (or even worse, to make money) but honestly, I've yet to see or hear a band do that. It could be me, but I feel being immersed in black metal culture for over 20 years I kind of have something to say about it.
WITTR have always divided opinons since their debut 'Diadem of 12 Stars'. Some people feel their Cascadian Black Metal and eco-awareness has no place in 'true' black metal, but after delivering stellar album after stellar album (okay, 'Celestite' was a bit of a misfire, even though it was still pretty good in its own right) this has become a moot point.
'Thrice Woven' sees WITTR return to what they do best: Cascadian Black Metal with a strong, audible connection to nature. It is this connection that has always made them stand out of the crowd and they are indeed one of the few bands that pull this off so well. Another band I feel also has this strong connection is Fauna. 'Thrice Woven' oozes atmosphere and is delivered with confidence; the whole album feels like a wondrous journey, gorgeous riffs and melodies interspersed with truly wonderful ambient passages and some great guest performances by Steve Von Till (Neurosis), Don McGreevy (Earth) and wonderful female vocals by Anna Von Hausswolf. Also more prominent are the synths this time. They were always a part of WITTR but on this album they are given a much more prominent place.
All in all, 'Thrice Woven' is yet again a spectacular album. The Weaver brothers know exactly what they want and have the true craftsmanship to express this. Witnessing it in a proper live setting i can see this being a magical experience....
Bjorn
