[Reaper16]

41.) Fen - Epoch


So the Pacific Northwest black metal bands (like Wolves in the Throne Room or Agalloch; the ones that blend in folk and post-rock to the form) have begun to influence black metal bands back across the pond. Fen is a band from the United Kingdom, and they are very obviously influenced by “Cascadian Black Metal.” Epoch uses the static chords and blastbeats of black metal but they create something less immediate than an album from, say, Agalloch. It’s atmospheric, yes, but also like a fog. The mood and soundscapes linger in the air and they aren’t particularly dense but they do darken things up. It’s Agalloch Lite in some ways, and that makes for an entertaining, engaging album. I’m looking forward to these guys taking a big leap in originality on future releases.