Label: Akashic Envoy Records
Black metal ist krieg – a statement we’ve all heard countless times before, normally from those who couldn’t tell you what they’re declaring war on beyond some vague sentiments towards religion and society. But sometimes, a band and record will come along that gives the statement a sense of relevancy once more, tapping into the spirit of rebellion that fuelled the first-wave. Seas of Winter are one such band, with their blend of DSBM and second-wave worship on Forest Aflame being a statement of intent. This is a band with something to say, and their message is waging war against apathy and introlerance.
The environmental, anti-capitalist mindset behind Seas of Winter is clear from the opening introductory sample on Forest Aflame, laying out how capitalism is conspiring systemically to downplay claims of climate change whilst at the same time making it worse. The themes tackled here are very real; vocalist Espi Kvlt may channel the spirit of Dead in their performance, but their lyrics are rooted in reality. ‘Life Eternal’ esches the morbid fantasies of its namesake from De Mysteriis Dom Sathanas but instead paints a picture of misery fuelled by climate disaster – images of screaming amimals, blazing woodland, and the earth being torn asunder dominate. Later song titles making the politics of the band even clearer – ‘Placing The Blame: A Tribute To Our Corporate Leaders’; ‘The Rich Get Richer’; the delightfully heretical ‘Only Climate Change is Real’; and ‘Carlos Gregorio Hernandez Vasquez, Age 16’, named for a child who died in a border-crossing detention facility. As such, Forest Aflame can be considered a spiritual kin to records by bands such as Dawn Ray’d and Underdark, which also combine concrete political concerns with poetic lyrics.
Musically though, Forest Aflame is much more “trve” than either of those bands. The second-wave influence is clear throughout, with a mix of Darkthrone-style riffs and razor-sharp leads from Mike Snow, the other half of Seas of Winter. The title Forest Aflame may bring to mind fire and devastation, but there is the requisite coldness to the music that you would hope for from any band taking such strong inspiration from early 90’s Scandinavia. It is an ugly album, but intentionally so, its vicious leads and muscular riffs demanding a kind of submission, holding the listener in thrall to the tales of oblivion Forest Aflame seeks to tell.
That such tales are rooted in reality only adds to the urgency of Forest Aflame. The emotion carried in Espi’s snarls and screams cannot be faked; Forest Aflame is an album that is raging against the devastation being inflicted upon our world by those who are benefitting from its destruction. A call to action that is simultaneously inspiring but also well aware of the limits of individual action, Forest Aflame is the most vital album of second-wave worshipping black metal to have been released in some time.
Forest Aflame is due for release on 6 March 2020. It can be pre-ordered digitally via Bandcamp, and on cassette via Akashic Envoy Records.
The Sound Not The Word 