CoC : Spellforest - As the Rainfall... : Review

Spellforest - _As the Rainfall..._
by: Quentin Kalis (4.5 out of 5)

Like the Brazilian Spell Forest, they too are located within the blackened field, but are unlikely to be confused with the other as they perform different styles: this Spellforest is more ethereal and progressive. They share three members with Sea of Nectar and have clearly grown out of Sea of Nectar's melodic, progressive and dark brand of Opeth-cum-Agalloch inspired metal. In fact they are basically, a more aggressive version of Sea of Nectar such is the similarity. The music is also slightly simpler with more linear compositions, but still runs circles around virtually all black metal this side of Emperor and Enslaved. Some cheesy-sounding synths, which even the most trollish Nordic denizen would reject, are introduced and simply do not do their compositions justice, but they can be overlooked. The vocal style is similar, but deeper and with some shrieking. To date, this the only release from Spellforest, and they have officially split up. I suspect this is due to Sea of Nectar's relocation to the USA, and who knows what the future may bring. In the meantime, all three songs can be downloaded from the site below, and I strongly recommend this to all lovers of the progressive and the black.

Contact: http://www.myspace.com/spellforest

(article published 23/1/2009)