Finnish folk/ambient Black Metallers October Falls have served up one forty two minute track to make up their new album, A Collapse of Faith. Bleak, dark, desperate and melancholic it may well be but the track has enough moments of diversity to ensure it is far more digestible than you might imagine when first presented with the CD. Complex and layered riffing dovetail with classical acoustic strumming over which the throaty rasp of band mastermind Mikko Lehto rants and rails against the wider world and humanity at large which makes for a morose atmosphere. Moments of pure melody are enriched by the epic, rich and ultimately rewarding experience that persevering with A Collapse Of Faith ensures and the band / Lehto are to be applauded in taking such a bold step forwards with this piece of work which marks them out as being truly progressive. Fans of early Opeth, Katatonia and the wider Scandanavian Metal scene would be well advised to dive right in to check out October Falls with an open mind and prepare for something that is both original and inspiring.
Stirring stuff then and something of a pleasant surprise.
Track Listing
1. A Collapse of Faith