Forsaken
After The Fall

It's interesting to note how metal has now touched almost every country in the world, even those you wouldn't have expected. In fact, a doom band named Forsaken was born in Malta in 1990. A group that, after years of apprenticeship, demos, and the continuous search for a label, managed to release their first full-length album in 1997, titled "Evermore." After that date, more difficulties arose, until 2004 when, with their second album, the first certainties began to arrive. This After the fall is the fourth studio album released in 2009 and represents a significant track of the music of the four Maltese.

We are in front of a group that knows what they are doing, but as is now tradition, they take what has been developed in the past and make the formula their own. So, do not expect particularly original doom; rather, the references to bands like Candlemass and Solitude Aeturnus are just around the corner. The only difference of the group in question compared to those mentioned above is represented by the epic way of understanding music. The themes at the center of their compositions are not, as usual, solitude, difficulties, existential problems but rather stories and legends taken directly from the traditions and customs of different peoples.

On the musical level, absolutely nothing new. The songs are substantial, acceptable, heavy, but at times also boring and drawn out. The intro of "Aidenn falls" reminds me of The Gates of Slumber, but inevitably the song becomes more complex and, ultimately, it is still a good manifesto of what the four play. The same formula applies to "Sins of the tempter", a decent epic doom metal song. After the forgettable fourth episode, the album takes a more challenging turn. The duration extends, but the ideas remain the same. This, however, shows us how the band tackles more articulated tracks, through that ongoing epic pursuit that has pathos as its primary objective. In this sense, "Armida's kiss" represents, in my opinion, the peak of the album.

After the fall is a work that deserves attention, especially for the great effort the band has made to become known beyond the shores of Malta. The result is not the most extraordinary, but at least the effort is appreciated. Give it a listen.

1. "Tenebrarum" (1:53)
2. "Aidenn Falls" (5:34)
3. "Sins Of The Tempter" (6:11)
4. "The Lord Sayeth" (1:50)
5. "Vanguards Of The Void" (8:23)
6. "Armida's Kiss" (9:04)
7. "The Sage" (8:55)
8. "Dies Irae" (7:40)
9. "Metatron And The Mibor Mythos" (6:54)