The force album is released again in great numbers. This time they comes in jewel case!
Atmospheric black metal is a genre that can either be excruciatingly dull or unbelievably rewarding- this album is a perfect example of the latter.
Through time and space, a spirit that won't show face. The living man will feel, but the spirit do not kneel. Cause I am not it`s master, it controls everything that grows faster. Three and man is equal out through the sequel. Treat this with respect, the force will protect.
Eldamar Is heavily inspired by the North lands nature Power. Look at it as a journey, and drift away in your own dreams. And the course will bring you to the realm of Alfheimr/Elvenhome.
This release boasts not only powerful, shrieked vocals, but also heavenly and serene choir vocals that add a whole new dimension to the record. On tracks such as "The Spirit Of The North" we see how the vocals are used to truly encapsulate the listener, sending them into an entirely new world. This, accompanied by the dynamic song structure, creates a not only unique and immersive atmosphere but also a truly interesting sound. Eldamar's debut does not fall into the trap of focusing on creating atmosphere so much that the thought of an intriguing structure is lost, in fact it is quite the opposite. The placement of the vocals allows for the listener to experience a myriad of emotions during a single track. It would have been easy to have placed harsh black metal vocals over the top of every second of this album, but instead the mastermind behind this project chooses wisely where to let the instrumentals do the talking; creating epic crescendos that transform the album. On top of this the choirs are utilized in a mature fashion, often being used to create a ‘calm before the storm’ effect, adding to the build of tracks like "Winter Night".
The instrumentation seeks to build a foundation for this record, with an impressive dichotomy between the pummelling drums and the transcendent synthesizers. Few artists manage to pull this balance off, especially within extreme metal releases. The drum passages manage to be heavy without overwhelming each song, used in tandem with the guitars that have a tone perfectly suited to the rest of the album. Despite the fierce drumming, Eldamar was not afraid to reduce this ferocity for the sake of the story. This can be seen in songs , such as “The Border Of Eldamar”, in which segments of the song are considerably slower allowing for another dimension of the music to be explored.
As stated, the guitar tone seeks to add to the already well-established atmosphere of the album. Not only do they add to this, but they are also sonically very appealing. The musician behind this release clearly is a talented musician who knows how to write guitar passages, using soaring riffs whilst avoiding having phrases that seem generic, contrived, or forced in any way.
The Force Of The Ancient Land manages to immerse the listener, showcase the musician’s passion and tell a story. The album is interesting throughout and boasts a plethora of successes that one must listen to if they wish to be taken on a truly profound journey.
Sample:
youtube.com/watch?v=7un8iCwIjzg&list=RD7un8iCwIjzg&start_radio=1
