Reviews: Cellar Darling, Waylander, Enterprise Earth, Blood Youth (Rich, Sean, Mark & Liam)

Cellar Darling: The Spell (Nuclear Blast) [Rich]

The Spell is the second album by Swiss progressive metallers Cellar Darling. The band is comprised of ex-members of folk metal band Eluveitie though those expecting folk metal in the style of Eluveitie should look elsewhere as Cellar Darling are a completely different beast altogether. Based around the concept of a young girl who is searching for the meaning of life and ends up falling in love with Death and the album very much has the aura of a dark fairytale about it. The music is complex and atmospheric with all the nuances of a progressive metal record but with the addition of folk instruments such as flute and hurdy gurdy which whilst not dominating the music are a very welcome and subtle presence.

The songs range from the aggressive to the morose to the haunting and it’s this range of moods which kept me in awe throughout The Spell.  Songs such as the title track, Death, Insomnia And Drown are utterly mesmerizing. Considering they are only a three piece there are a lot of different sounds and instruments on display and special mention must go to frontwoman Anna Murphy. I always enjoyed the Eluveitie songs where she took on the lead vocals but her vocals on The Spell are just something else and she is really able to flex her range and abilities with her own music and she sounds simply stunning. The Spell is a fantastic album.  It is a slow burner that may take multiple listens to fully appreciate but the time spent on this album is ultimately rewarding as it is a beautiful conceptual piece of music that is magical, hypnotic and alluring. 8/10

Embers crackling oven an open flame begins this tale, long sombre notes ringing out into the mournful night. Folky instrumentation builds layer upon layer, recited verses of summer’s passing floating above the dancing embers. As Samhain Comes” soon take the lead, with blasting blackened riffs brought to bare. The tempo slows, the sombre air returning and Waylander paint a vivid picture of winters inevitable arrival. A strong start indeed, with Shortest Day, Longest Night quickening its advance. Doomy chords echo out until the pace quickens, replaced by a mixture of brawny chugging and blackened strumming. Things loosen up a touch too much towards the end, though it’s an enjoyable number all the same. Imbolc is a rousing battle hymn, the ever present tin whistle providing ample melody above the icy riffs. The Vernal Dance’s bodhrán led intro neatly transitions Waylander’s folkier side, the change of air and key welcome as we progress to Ériu’s Wheel halfway point. A bouzouki can be heard amongst the din, neatly fitting in with the powerful metallics. Beltine continues the folky frolics, it’s upbeat spirit a pleasant contrast to the stern grimness that came before. As The Sun Stands Still and To Feast At Lughnasadh are anthems through and through, both practically exploding with infectious potency. It closes with Autumnal Blaze, completing natures cycle and Ériu’s Wheel’s parting war cry. Their final stand and mightiest stroke, Autumnal Blaze finishes Waylanders fifth chapter with suitable clout.

So to revisit my earlier question, does Waylander’s fire still burn? Throughout Ériu’s Wheel running time, I think it’s an emphatic yes! Sure, there’s a few wee things that could dampen their flames. The drums could be less gaunt and the overall performance could be a touch tighter. The clean choruses, whenever they do make themselves known, are muffled and struggle to gain a solid foothold in overall mix. Quibblings aside, Ériu’s Wheel is a solid, well balanced offering from the Gaels and a worthy entry into their discography. Time has not yet ravaged Waylander’s spirit and Ériu’s Wheel is testament to that, proving that all one needs is a solid melody, some loud ass guitars and a will of steel to see it done. In closing, Waylander have planted their feet deep into the ground, marching ever onwards unburdened and uncontested, their gaze permanently fixed towards their inevitable victory. Sláinte! 8/10
Enterprise Earth: Luciferous (Entertainment One Music) [Mark]

USA based Enterprise Earth are a deathcore outfit that I’ve somehow missed, I listen to a fair amount of deathcore, it’s like easy listening for death metal fans, it just does everything you’re expecting it to do, with added breakdowns, perfect for driving or on headphones when walking the dog. BeholdMalevolence opens the album and it’s heavy, really heavy, four minutes of stomping around with lead boots on heavy, but there’s a persistent noise in the background, a high pitched wail that is not very nice and I wish it wasn’t there. Sleep Is For The Dead reminds me of The Acacia Strain in pace and tone, that’s no bad thing, they’re a fantastic example of deathcore done right, this hits all the hallmarks, dripping with spite and groovy to go with it. Scars Of The Past arrives with some clean guitars and an eerie build up then drops into an intergalactic space battle between titans riff before changing pace again then again, halfway through we get a build up into extremity with blazing kick drums and a heavy breakdown, all leading into a melodic outro, great track.

Ashamed To Be Human kicks the damn doors through, blast beats and breakdowns, just rename the track fellas, it is absolutely top notch though and probably the album highlight. The second half of this album definitely feels busier and even has more melody, dropping into a different groove to the first half, Requiem seems to be a departure point, almost like it’s two EPs stitched together. The title track Luciferous has a great intro, sounds like there’s some black metal influence in there, maybe even some Akercocke, this is a great track and doesn’t follow the modern day deathcore mould at all, a very surprising track on this album and one I thoroughly enjoy listening to, more like this would be great. Overall, this is a great release from Enterprise Earth, they’ve managed to put together 12 songs that will keep deathcore fans interested, the almost split sound helps there. This is going to make it into my rotation and I have already recommended some of my friends who like this sort of material keep an eye out for its release. 8/10