wohosheni
First I was attracted by the beautiful artwork and then... I stayed for the music. I love the melodic stories told through these long tracks, they are like landscapes to be explored, with different vibes and ambiances. I usually don't listen to a lot of doomish music, but this album sustains my attention and makes me feel something from start to end. Thank you for this!
Dionysos Nyktelios
I feel that this record is not as dense and droney as their debut album 'Hierophant Violent', being a more accesible approach to their music (I'm not saying that this is good or bad, what I mean is that the listening experience is different). Still, the magic of their unique sound is there in full swing.
A doom, progressive piece of art, and a delightful listen for those listeners who love to dive into music with all their focus, passion and attention.
Favorite track: Strega.
Chris Pikula
Mesmerizing doom metal with post-metal and black metal flourishes. I was hooked from the first listen. One of my favorites of 2022.
Favorite track: Strega.
DIGIPACK CD
(incl. Bandcamp Digital Download and Streaming)
• Ltd 200
• 6-Panel Digipack
2xLP GATEFOLD VINYL
(incl. Bandcamp Digital Download and Streaming)
• Ltd 300: 150 black, 150 opaque blue ***
• 140gr. black vinyls
• 350gr. gatefold sleeve, 5mm spine
• Black inner sleeves
• Outer plastic sleeve
*** exclusive to our Eshops
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Featuring members of Botanist, Lotus Thief and Kayo Dot, FORLESEN draw from epic doom, black metal, slowcore and dark ambient to subvert traditional songwriting with their new full-length, "Black Terrain", which weaves heartbreak and hypnosis to show FORLESEN at their most vulnerable and vicious. The band formed in San Francisco at the end of 2016 and released their debut, "Hierophant Violent," in 2020. Now based in Portland, OR, FORLESEN continue their compositional evolution, expanding into previously untapped musical realms.
As with their debut, "Black Terrain"’s monolithic songs, at times approaching twenty minutes in length, fully immerse the listener in a contrast of the serene and cacophonous. “Strega” begins shrouded in an eerie atmosphere before embarking on a journey from vulnerable ballad to hymnal dirge. The ferocity of “Harrowed Earth” thrusts the album into the realm of black and doom metal. In the aftermath, “Saturnine” brings the album full circle, culminating in an ethereal mantra. "Black Terrain" evokes a sense of the grand, but also the intimate. Each instrument and voice is carefully placed and each musical transition seamless to prevent the mesmerizing spell from being broken.
FORLESEN have crafted a stunning cinematic masterpiece, worthily complemented by an extraordinary cover painting by Benjamin A. Vierling.
credits
released October 28, 2022
FORLESEN:
Ascalaphus (ex-BOTANIST) - Vocals, guitars, synth, harmonium, bass
Bezaelith (LOTUS THIEF) - Vocals, bass, guitars, synth
Petit Albert (LOTUS THIEF) - Guitars, synth, Hammond B3 organ, backing vocals
Maleus (ex-KAYO DOT, ex-MAUDLIN OF THE WELL) - Drums
Glockenspiel and trumpet performed by Leila Abdul-Rauf
Music and lyrics by Ascalaphus, except lyrics on "Black Terrain" by Bezaelith.
All music arranged by Forlesen. Drums and Hammond B3 recorded by Justin Phelps at the Hallowed Halls, Portland, OR. All other recording done in various home studios between 2018 and 2021. Mixed by Jack Shirley at the Atomic Garden, Oakland, CA. Mastered by Garrett Haines at Treelady Studios, Pittsburgh, PA.
Artwork by Benjamin A. Vierling
Art direction and layout by Francesco Gemelli
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Cat. Nr. IVR193
supported by 143 fans who also own “Black Terrain”
It's a cool journey. Beautiful atmospheric blackened doom ambient combo. Sometimes like Pink Floyd playing funeral doom. Hypnotic album from Hypnotic Dirge records. Wow! Dmitry Nevozhay
never been a big death metal fan but this is actually super accessible for the genre, has fun concepts, and personally i'm always a fan of albums with short tracklists and huge runtimes (for individual songs) Great time, good jumping on point for newbies too. alienasu