The last full-length album from Woods of Desolation came out in 2014, and even though fans had to wait 8 years for a new album it seems like the wait was well worth it. Titled, “The Falling Tide,” the album reunites listeners with Woods of Desolation’s cold and somber atmospheric mixed with post-black metal sounds.
The Australian one-man act has garnered a strong following over the years and the band's previous albums have been mostly well received by fans and critics alike. Over the years a fair amount of bands have definitely come across as Woods of Desolation fans, so much that you feel as though what made Woods of Desolation stand out has become suffocated by the endless clones. However, even when dealing with a growing number of post-black metal/atmospheric black metal bands, you can always differentiate between the skilled musicians and the generic sloppy amateurs.
Whenever an album hooks you instantly once you start listen to it and causes you to drop everything around you like your work or your first born child, then you know that there is something special going on. Once I heard the first track, “Far From Here,” with its heavenly opening guitar arrangement, I was definitely drawn into the mesmerizing musical landscape. The intense wave of tremolo picking matched with the thunderous drum arrangements washes over you like a monstrous tidal wave. Also, I was impressed by the vocal delivery during song which added to the rollercoaster of raw emotion.
Following that first song, the music continues to flow with a profound synergy and even though in the past I have not been the biggest fan of post-black metal, I truly believe that Woods of Desolation’s sound and overall approach to recording is very refreshing to hear. For example, “Beneath a Sea of Stars,” is not overly technical, yet at the same time the music is not painfully repetitive. The instrumental arrangements conjure up this storm of blistering distortion, while also providing comfort in the gloomy shroud of overwhelming darkness. During the track, “Illumination,” I could hear on full display the artist pouring a substantial amount of energy into the composition, thus giving the track a certain surreal feeling as though you are standing upon a cliff gazing out amongst the ocean as the sun begins to rise.
In the end, Woods of Desolation proves to be a powerful creative force with the release of, “The Falling Tide.” I would say that this is an album which completely caught me off guard and was probably one of the strongest recordings I have heard this year. Even though I am not a post-black metal fanatic, I cannot ignore the quality and artistic creativity that went into the making of this album. Conceptually this album is a perfect example of how to compose a release which can hook the listener right away and keep them engaged until the very end. To me, a lot of bands can learn something from how this release was recorded, which is why I highly recommend checking it out.
Check out the song "The Falling Tide" below :
Woods of Desolation Bandcamp:
https://woodsofdesolation.bandcamp.com/album/the-falling-tide
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