Artist: Farsot
Title: Insects
Genre: Black Metal
Release Date: 28th October, 2011
Label: Prophecy Records
Album Review
If OPETH is the shining example of Progressive Death Metal, then FARSOT is the example of Progressive Black Metal. On their past debut album, these enigmatic performers (known only by number ID codes as opposed to names) gave a very even performance of short, instrumentals mixed with lengthier, standard Black Metal pieces, and one gigantic epic. Here, on their sophomore effort four years later, they’ve expanded a bit more, still offering epics but mixing in the softer instrumental bits within the tracks themselves, such as ‘The Vermillion Trail’ which is both heavy, pulsating Black Metal and often an acoustic touch of Folk. Other times such as on ‘Withdrawl’, the music is more rhythmic and churning, almost along the lines of groups like KHOLD, but not quite Black n’ Roll. The vocals switch between a harsh snarl to low, droning, drawn out words that would appeal to fans of groups like DIMMU BORGIR; even some of the guitar bits are similar to the group, minus the keyboards and clean vocals of course. Fans will also notice that the music is not very “fast” overall as opposed to a group like SARGEIST or GORGOROTH. Most of the tracks are mid paced, almost slow and hypnotic, especially when the drone vocals are included. Surprisingly, they can be heard over the raging guitars, which is rare when such aspects are put at odds. Part of this is due to excellent production.
The instrumentals on this album include only two, but they are much longer than on the debut album and not as “patterned”. ‘7’ is slow, soft pickings that resemble something that would come off of OPETH’s ‘Ghost Reveries,’ whereas ‘Somnolent’ is a bit thicker, distorted, and features touches of AGALLOCH for a slightly Dark Metal/ Folk Metal atmosphere as opposed to Progressive. As far as the highlight track on the album, that would go to ‘Empyrean’. Not only is it the album’s major epic, it features the best mix of chaotic and softer parts. Starting off strong and ending in a more progressive vein, it offers a balance of the best of what FARSOT is capable of doing on all levels. The heavier sections are so well orchestrated that they can be compared to that of DEATHSPELL OMEGA, but on a less haphazard level. Even the lyrics are thought expanding, such as the second half of ‘Empyrean’ with “…two winged carriers summon a blacken vortex / convoke your powers to conceal all pale/ like a ten billion spikes nailing the elysian fields.” With only about two verses over a nine minute song, it does to show how much this epic work relies on the musical structure to carry it along and keep interest, and FARSOT has no problem accomplishing that. Overall, while this album may not be as mystical and intriguing as the upcoming BLUT AUS NORD blockbuster, this rather unknown band is a gem to be discovered. ‘Insects’ is a buzzing, beautiful mess that will not let down any fans of Black Metal or even Avant-garde Black Metal with a unique twist to it. It sheds corpse paint and Satanic ideals for humanistic and complex details that put “average” sounding Black Metal to shame.
Tracklist
01. Like Flakes of Rust - 7:49
02. Empyrean - 9:57
03. Perdition - 6:20
04. 7 - 3:46
05. Adamantine Chains - 8:08
06. The Vermilion Trail - 5:56
07. Withdrawal - 8:33
08. Somnolent - 4:38
Line-up
v.03/170 - Bass, Keyboards
R 215k - Drums
Pi: 1T 5r - Guitars
3818.w - Guitars
10.XIXt - Vocals
Website
http://www.farsot.de/
Cover Picture
Rating
Music: 9
Sound: 8
Total: 8.5 / 10
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