Old Corpse Road
Debut: The Witching Hour – as the spectres we haunt
this Kingdom
Godreah Records
Release date Late 2012
New album by Old Corpse Road
Old Corpse Road
– Darlington – Co. Durham
Links:
https://www.facebook.com/OldCorpseRoad
http://www.oldcorpseroad.co.uk/
http://www.myspace.com/oldcorpseroad
Genre: British
Black /Folk Metal
In the bands
own words: “The Old Corpse Road was conceived during the autumn season of 2007
during a brief excursion to the Lake District, more specifically Haweswater.
This Autumnal break, in celebration of the wondrous and powerful music that we
all know as Black Metal, awoke our desire to share our musical passions with
other like- minded people. The band name was taken from the road of the same
name which rises out of the Haweswater valley and leads to Mardale.
Old Corpse Road is not aiming to break any
musical barriers, nor do we seek fame or infamy; we only seek to give back to
the scene that has given so much to us. Musically we are inspired by many
diverse bands; within black metal Bal-Sagoth, Primordial, Cradle of Filth, Burzum,
Emperor, Abigor and Immortal.
Old Corpse Road also enjoys classic early doom
bands such as My Dying Bride, Celestial Season and Paradise Lost. The band finds
much pleasure in various other musical styles from Cold Meat Industries
(Arcana, Raison D'etre) to traditional folk music, classical pieces and film
scores.”
Not having
heard much - if at all Black/Folk Metal I am keen to see what is in store
here. Judging by the titles it will be
right up my alley as well as being different and unique.
The mere
mention of Witches and Spectres makes me sit up and take an interest and when
coupled with Black/Folk Metal well it is a must as I feel this genre is overlooked
somewhat.
The cover is
really tasteful and sophisticated and gives off that ominous complexity that
black/folk metal has incorporating the gothic writing which really gives an air
of serious importance about it.
Tis Witching Hour
The sophistication
continues with a superb build-up of intrigue begins. Ravens cackling and then a
menacing voice starts up amid the jangling strings and a chorus of a saintly
but haunting melodic choir of voices merrily chanting away in the background to
some superb keys.
The Cauld Lad of Hylton
This track
bursts into action with some thunderous screeches and then a low growl – blast beats
plunder boding evil at a rate of knots but then slows and a more dream-like
flurry takes over, but the vocals do not let up and a more familiar screeching
vocals along with an unholy growl comes into play – it literally sends chills
down your spine, with some haunting keyboards that wouldn’t seem out of place
at the Adams Family residence. The melodic chanting really adds an inauspicious
flavour to the proceedings. Superb track; for the people who love something
different and unique!
Hag of the Mist
This track has
more of a blackened feel to it as the music builds to an intimidating frenzy. The
evil black vocals screech out with an unholy chant accompanied by a more gruff
and powerful growl. In the background the guitars sound solid and
uncompromising. A jangle of melodic keys float around and then an explosion as
the grisly vocals take hold. A serious plethora of nastiness with aggressive
vocals and thunderous bass builds and there is no compromise here. It sums up a
hostile and frightening image of literally - a hag of the mist.
The Buried Moon
Another ominous
track that has a more sophisticated edge of brooding about it, with soft
keyboard melodies that have dream-like qualities - offer the listener a soothing
but intimidating listen and quite a classical composition. The acoustic strings
add so much to this track. It is a real little gem, of soothing yet cleansing
power.
The Wild Voice Came
A male voice
starts up and is then accompanied by a host of other voices – “Again, again the
wild voice came! A boat, a boat in heavens name!” The sounds of gently
trickling water and a sparse bell add intrigue and mystery to this one minute
and 6 second track.
The Crier of Claiffi
Haunting strings
crisp and clean sound beautiful and dreamy and then Satan himself screeches
amid a wild array of guitar and plundering drums. Briefly slowing to allow a deep
male vocal to sing and then within seconds the musical content ferociously
starts up again. The chanting rhythms adding a foreboding feel to an already
menacing track. The folk side of Old
Corpse Road ever present but more so on this track with swaying rhythms and
solid beats. This is quite a long track at over 7 minutes long.
The Secret of Rolling Waves
Enchanting
harmonic vocals which last about a minute but don’t really serve a purpose in
my opinion except as an intro to the next track.
A "mental" fan of British black metal
Isobel – Queen of Scottish Witches
Ominous and yet
breath taking all at the same time as the haunting melodic strings purge the
soul. Rhythmic and soothing but it still manages to possess an edgy dark feel
with softly spoken vocals; and a screechy accompaniment of a blackened nature
adds a nice dark twist to this atmospheric track with the evil cackling from Isobel,
I presume - is superb! A strong growl
adds a nice complexity to this strong, unyielding and hard-hitting track.
Glassensikes at Witching Hour
Interesting to
note – (The Glassensikes Hound is a spectral dog which haunts the Harewood Hill
area of Darlington. First the head appears, then its body materialises before
onlookers flee in terror) Consistent beats flurry and evil screams outline the
marvellous surge of guitar as the track builds to an epic proportion of wondrous
folklore and myths. Bellicose and ambient this track is one to behold with
particular interest and intrigue.
As Spectres We Haunt this Kingdom
Poignant and
hostile this over baring track emanates evil from within a musical spectrum and
is a reminder of the remnants that have long gone – delving into another realm
of wonder and enchantment. Its choral voices reach to a height of unconquered history
within the musical field.
To sum up: From
the land of pointy hats that have adorned the heads of many a witch who in turn
has indeed trampled the earths landscapes for centuries – this album conjures
up a well carved imagination into what roamed the earth years ago and may well
still be roaming the villages, lakes and castles of today – who knows?
Old Corpse Road has captured a rural path that
leads into an obscure and interesting world of legends and folklore with their
unusual and unique blend of black/folk metal.
Dragon slayers,
goblins, wizards and devils all play a part in folklore but Old Corpse Road should have a place in
your record collection for its exceptional portrayal of Black/Folk metal which
will bring to life tales from the past and bring them into the distinct present,
shape shifting into a powerful and magical insight into the unknown.
Don’t forget to
listen to the interview with Old Corpse
Road scheduled this evening on Infernal
Rock Radio presented by DJ Fox
who is the master of folk metal. 3PM EDT - 8PM UK. www.infernalrockradio.com
9/10
Track List:
Tis Witching Hour
The Cauld Lad of Hylton
Hag of the Mist
The Buried Moon
The Wild Voice Game
The Crier of Claiffi
The Secret of Rolling Waves
Isobel – Queen of Scottish Witches
Glassensikes at Witching Hour
As Spectres we haunt this Kingdom
Not folklore - it's Old Corpse Road
Members:
The Bearer: Guitars and Vocals
The Revenant: Guitars and Vocals
The Wanderer: Bass and Spoken Word
The Dreamer: Percussion and Ambience
The Watcher: Keyboards and Vocals
