Now, I was firstly a straight metalhead...I grew into metal from Rammstein, which I loved for neigh 3 years and dabbled in death metal, then thirsted for faster and heavier. I grew into some "metalcore" stuff, but it was too...well, repetitive, for my taste (to each his own!), then I hit death metal for a couple years; Cannibal Corpse, Meshuggah, Nile...Meshuggah I still listen to, but I have "forsaken" death metal as a whole, as it, also has a sore feeling of repetition.
Over time, as death metal grew to be tiresome to me, I again shifted. I had had a great deal of folk metal tucked into my ipod as well as black metal. One early 5 a.m. shift at work, I just let the shuffle work its magic, and Korpiklaani, Dimmu Borgir and other folk and black groups played, and before me my path was laid - folk metal...black metal...ambiance.
It all greatly appealed to me.
The black metal filled out the thirst I had for speed, precision and cold atmosphere.
The folk filled out my natural love of nature - I was born and raised up here in Upper Michigan, on 70 aches of fens, fields and forests...the music emanates beauty (most of it) in nature.
Despite my 6+ years of folk and black adoration, Empyrium, alone, holds a very specific place in my metal heart.
"Where At Night the Wood Grouse Plays" is my personal favorite Empyrium album. Their previous works, ("A Wintersunset..." and "Songs of Moors and Misty Fields") are truly masterpieces in their own respects (SoM&MF moreso than Wintersunset, in my opinion). They are frigid in a brisk autumn morning so of way, with great, vast, foggy fields echoing in you mind...expansive, sad and beautiful simultaineously.
Where At Night the Wood Grouse Plays is a strictly acoustic album. It oozes empty, broken hearts and the sadness therein.
Tracks:
1. Where At Night the Wood Grouse Plays:
Rating: ***
Surprisingly, this song is a strong piece, stand-alone, but as an opener, I feel it almost takes away from the album. The whole album listens like a night-sky backdrop of pale, cold stars with the shadows of trees against it, but this song is so strong. The song begins almost as any other Empyrium track, but the end has a drum-roll, of sorts, as well as a (for lack of a better word) chant by deep voiced males. It ends very strongly, but the rest of the album is very peaceful, leaving this song with a sort of "out-of-place" feel.
2. Dying Brokenhearted:
Rating: ****
Not sure what, exactly, makes me love this song. It is tranquil and smooth, and the name alone brings a great sorrow to my heart. It is very non-repetitive, which is fairly unusual for this album, and holds a good deal of repeatability - one you can really add to a playlist and be okay with coming on twice (or thrice!) in a short time period. It really captures what its title is trying to convey.
Every time I hear it, it almost makes me teary eyed - being elderly, having the world at your back; weak, without hunger or lust in you heart, sated with life...spouse gone, and with it all your passion and love. Staring out and aged, warped window pane at the starry evening, listening to the crickets and frogs of the spring-dusk...all alone.
3. The Shepherd and the Maiden Ghost:
Rating: **
Now, I really love this album. I like it a lot..., but this song feels so repetitious and just...bland! It starts off so excellent, with the two guitars, but grows exhausting by the end of the 3:20. The riff the two guitars play from the start are continuous almost the whole song. They change slightly at a couple points, then return to the same one...
4. The Sad Song of the Wind:
Rating: ***
The album is all acoustic, sure, but this song just feels...quiet. Even as far as acoustic goes. Like something a beatnik in a coffee shop might play for some spare change. Feels like they might have done a better job, but still a fair effort.
5. Wehmut
Rating: ****
One of my favorites from the album. Really gets the imagery going in your head and almost purveys a nice autumn gust against your brow. Just the right length before it starts to feel repetitive!
6. A Pastoral Theme:
Rating: *****
My absolute favorite from the album. This song has found its way into a great deal of my playlists; from running, to work, to the blackest, fastest metal playlists, it is one of the great buffers to breathe a quick breath of beauty into the heart.
7. Abendrot
Rating: *****
Another fave - a REALLY close second to "A Pastoral Theme...," hot on it's tail. Simple, peaceful, not too repetitive. Despite much of the album emanating an aura of sadness and bleak brokenheartedness, this song makes me think of moonlit walks by the river with my fiancee in the autumn woods.
8. Many Moons Ago:
Rating: ***
I really don't know how to describe this one. The whole album is worth buying, to be sure, but this song just...I don't know! Has a sort of "English 1700s pompous" feel I cannot word any better! It feels like something you could have heard played and sang centuries ago, but it also feels like it failed in its purpose.
9. When Shadows Grow Longer 99
Rating: ***
Like the start of the album, which feels out of place, this song, too, feels like it fails the album as a whole, as its ending. I really love the whole album, then the outro of the last song sort of...flops. Such a beautiful album, but it really drags it down.
ALBUM RATING: ****
Kippis!
-Vulpes
