
THE LORD
Forest Nocturne (Southern Lord)
If you are already acclimatised to the works of doom metal icon Greg Anderson, guitarist for bands including Sunn O))) and Goatsnake, then you know not to expect an easy ride when approaching a new release.
Forfeiting traditional rhythms and patterns is part of Anderson’s makeup, and as The Lord – a new moniker, although self-referential: Southern Lord is his label – he has taken that to the absolute limit, with an album of tense repetitive soundscapes that are seemingly designed to test the senses.
There’s a dark ominous sensation throughout Forest Nocturne and the feeling of foreboding is never far away, culminating in the menacing undertones of Triumph Of The Oak – a heavy, guitar-led track whose downright vicious vocals are supplied by Mayhem’s Attila Csihar. The sound of an ancient horror lurking in the shadows, Forest Nocturne is beautiful uneasy listening.
words CHRIS ANDREWS
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