Woods of Desolation
Torn Beyond Reason

THE REVIEW

Certain Forests can only be visited with the mind, and the mind can only reach them with the help of Music. In some of them tall firs tower over an already lush vegetation, in which man is but a transient being, not remotely capable of scratching the rhythms dictated by Nature. In these Forests, Desolation reigns, yet they remain a meeting place for Agalloch and Alcest: when the anguishing epic of the former merges with the romantic lyricism of the latter, the Forest seems to shake, moved deep down to its roots by melodies with an arcane and enchanting flavor, beautiful roses that cannot be approached unless one wants to be pricked by their sharp thorns. The Forests of Desolation thus come alive and tell us tales of pristine sadness, suffering, and despair, always with a strange sense of hope in the background, almost as if to emphasize their temporary nature. The language they use to speak to us is the language of so-called post-black metal, made of sweet melodic lyricism bordering on shoegaze that leans on a cold and fierce rhythmic structure.

And when the wind grows stronger and more relentless, there is nothing left but to surrender to it and enjoy it, at least as long as the Forests of Desolation have life.