Review: “Aeons Effigy” by Falamh

“The concept for this EP is about the journey and discovery of oneself and the transformation effects that occur. Whether being steadfast or yielding, change is always inevitable and it’s how someone reacts that can determine the perspective and outcome. The lyrics reflect this by telling tales of different characters and how their reaction affects them” ~ Kyle Tayler, Falam

Rising like a phoenix from the ashes of a previous band in 2019 when guitarist and vocalist Kyle Tayler masterminded a revival under another name with members of that project after it was torn limb from limb, Falamh sees him joined by David Strba on guitars and backing vocals as well as Kye Bell on bass. The trio made their debut in with 2020’s “The Unbound Beyond: I“, an affair that saw them bring a burnt offering of Melodic Death Metal combined with Black Metal to the Kings table and haven’t looked back since. As with its predecessor, this time around the collectives sophomore EP “Aeons Effigy” also sees them joined by session drummer Tyler Chartrand known for his work in Empyrian Plague, while being recorded, mixed and mastered by guitarist Dave Strba at Chainsaw Media, he splits credit for production with Tayler who handled the cover artwork.

Hailing from North Bay in Ontario Canada gives Falamh very similar natural beauty surroundings to the cold, dark and damp forests of Scandinavia, the traditional home of Black Metal and perhaps that is what has given them inspiration to use the genre as a basis for their musings. The up tempo grooves with melancholic and almost mournful guitars of opening cut “Winds of Silence” has all the qualities you would expect from genre classics while also having a few intriguing intricacies of its own, a captivating performance with longer movements of instrumentation around sparse harsh and raspy vocals from Kyler Tayler with lyrics about perseverance despite obstacles in the path certainly resonate. As the title offers the opportunity, “Blackened Waves” flows dynamically like the seas with graceful tempo shifts building the storm like atmospheric with rich melodies and throat grating vocals which seem harsher against the changing soundscape, the harrowing tale of a near death experience playing out as the waves crash upon the rocks. While his vocals maybe on the punishing side, Tayler has mastered the art of the lyric and his storytelling abilities are as spellbinding as the sonic creations of his band. Taking influences from the Nordic Folk Metal side of Black Metal, “Benighted Weald” follows the left hand path less travelled, building with majestic dark acoustic guitars before galloping drums bring the electric abrasions and allow a perfectly weighted melancholy and infinite sadness to sweep the land. In a similar vein to Ensiferum or Wintersun in a furious and fiery finale “Aethereal Forger” turns the page to a tale of an apocalyptic event like those of Pompeii, the World covered in flame and ash with no escape. In just 23 minutes Falamh have demonstrated their ability to craft something darkly engrossing in “Aeons Effigy” and it leaves starring into the abyss while at the same time as stoic as the cliffs above the bay [7.5/10]

Track listing

1. Winds of Silence (6:46)
2. Blackened Waves (6:52)
3. Benighted Weald (5:03)
4. Aethereal Forger (4:33)

“Aeons Effigy” by Falamh is out 25th March 2022 with pre-orders available over at bandcamp