Though Wilderun are new to me, the Boston based band have been around since 2008 and Epigone is their fourth full length release and first for Century Media Records. There's a reason that CM sought out and signed these guys, and one quick listen to Epigone will instantly display the greatness that this talented group is capable of. Labeled as Symphonic Progressive/Folk Metal kind of tells you what you are in store with as far as their music goes, though you also have to take into account the extreme element that rears it's head from time to time with death metal growls and blast beats. However, much of Epigone is absolutely gorgeous and, yes, epic....this is classic era Opeth, though less extreme and more symphonic, proggy, and folky, the acoustic guitars lovely, the drums & percussion nimble and intoxicating, and the vocals.....well, simply astonishing. Wilderun are:
Evan Anderson Berry (Vocals, Guitars)
Daniel Müller (Bass, Hammered dulcimer, synthesizers)
Jonathan Teachey (Drums)
Wayne Ingram (Guitars, Mandolin, Keyboards, Orchestrations, vocals)
Joe Gettler (lead guitar)
I'll say it right now, you really have to love beauty in your metal, otherwise you might find Epigone a frustrating listen, as there are lots of acoustic passages here, lots of keyboards, and lots of lush, melodic, often times crooning vocals...and all that's quite ok with me, as it's all so expertly laid out and arranged that it's not hard to fall instantly in love with tracks like "Woolgatherer" (all 14-minutes of it!), "Identifier", and the symphonic four-part prog-metal opus "Distraction". For those that want to hear more of the aggressive side of the band, there's the oustanding "Passenger", complete with furious death growls, soaring melodic vocals, and some superb guest female signing as well. They even toss in a cover of the Radiohead song "Everything In Its Right Place" for good measure.
Wonderful stuff here, and Epigone has pretty quickly made me want to investigate the rest of the Wilderun catalog. As gorgeous as any metal album I've heard in recent memory.
Track Listing
- Exhaler
- Woolgatherer
- Passenger
- Identifier
- Ambition
- Distraction I
- Distraction II
- Distraction III
- Distraction Nulla
- Everything In Its Right Place (cover version)
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