Since 1998, Old Forest have been relentlessly unleashing their darkness upon the world. A fine mixture of fantasy based themes, (their name is taken from the forest to the east of the Shire in Tolkien’s ‘The Hobbit / Lord of the Rings’) Sussex Folklore and the more usual concepts of death and darkness. The bands new and glorious opus entitled ‘Sutwyke’ was written and recorded during the mediocre pestilence that was the COVID pandemic and later this month will see the light of day on both CD and LP through Soulseller Records. Surprisingly, Old Forest still drives forwards with their two original members from 1998, adding a new drummer to the mix in 2017. Its rare to find a band with no ex-members!
Opening track ‘Faust Recants (Satan Cometh)’ is one of the most powerful and compelling openers I’ve heard in a long while; a combination of melodic Black Metal grace, fascinating guitar leads and impactful vocal styles. it leaves a remarkable lasting impression that carries through into the haunting chants of ‘Black Hearts of Sutwyke’, a track whose melodic overtures border the symphonic. (I’m feeling a mid era Dimmu Borgir vibe but without the overt bombast and pageantry) The vocals are surging venomous death rattles of pure old school black Metal savageness, and the subtle synth tones that bolster the frenzied drumming and hungry, urgent riffs really bring out the dark flavours of this album.
This is my first time experiencing Old Forest and their haunting harmonic style, vastly varying melodies and impactful, abrasiveness are hypnotic and enthralling. the juxtaposition between snarled vocal delivery and eerie chanting is striking and wonderful, the grim toned riffs mixed with mesmerizing synth undertones and wandering guitar rhythms is electric and vibrant as well as dour, stark and miserly! ‘Sutwyke’ easily tops my albums of the year list so far!
