Music: Experimental Black Metal
Country: United Kingdom
Web site: http://www.myspace.com/aforestofstars
Cool Songs: God, Earth and Matter, Microcosm
A FOREST OF STARS is not a run-of-the-mill black metal band, by any means. This northern UK group creates dark, occult-laden vibes that are definitely owing to the realms of black metal, as are the torturous cries of vocalist, Mister Curse. However, the groups music is anything but typical. The Corpse of Rebirth, the groups 2008 debut, shows the band seeking inspiration from such sources as its countrys Victorian-era poets, hippy-psychedelics, classical music and other avenues of experimentation.
God sets the album into motion with multiple layers of distorted guitar notes. The notion of raw black metal these opening notes send forth soon ends at the next, percussive transition. Here, The Gentleman ominously rattles tambourines that ring forth during the single boom of a kettledrum. Shortly, Katheryne, Queen of the Ghosts, enters into the mix with melancholic violin strings. Katherynes violin playing brings to mind the kings of sorrowMY DYING BRIDE, and for good reason because she is their former keyboard and violin player.
In addition to presenting a MY DYING BRIDE aspect to The Corpse of Rebirth, Katherynes subtle voice and flute playing brings forth even more angles to the groups eclectic mix. Due to the spacey vocal harmonizer, her faint voice and subtle, jazzy drum work at the beginning of Male, one might draw comparisons to THE GATHERING. This group maintains this approach through much of the track, which waxes and wanes its movement, but becomes downright ferocious due to Mister Curses vocals and The Gentlemans pounding drums.
Earth and Matter, the following track, continues with fiercely thumping drums set to raw black metal, but The Gentleman shows more unexpected percussion, this time in the form of tribal hand drums. For those looking for extreme at the opposite end of the beat spectrum, check out the doom-ridden rhythms of the closing track, Microcosm.
The Corpse of Rebirth is another album by a band with great vision for black metal. Not content with merely playing drums, guitar and bass, A FOREST OF STARS has created an album that truly represents the poetic angle taken in the lyrics and in their name. Is The Corpse of Rebirth a perfect product? Not quite. While Mister Curses voice bears a demented ambiance, like a mix of BURZUM-meets-BETHLEHEM, his words are totally unintelligible. Also, the album clocks in at over an hour long and only contains five tracks. Possibly a herbal enhancement or taking in bits and piece at a time is the best way to enjoy this album.
note: 7.5/10
Tracklist
1. God
2. Female
3. Male
4. Earth and Matter
5. Microcosm
Total playing time 01:03:36
Line-up
Mister Curse – Vocals
Katheryne, Queen of the Ghosts – Violin, Flute, Vocals
The Gentleman – Synths, Pianoforte, Drums
Mr T.S. Kettleburner – Guitar, Bass, Vocals
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