WOODS OF DESOLATION : “The Falling Tide”

WOODS OF DESOLATION is undoubtedly one of those visually mirage-provoking music projects that make black metal even more layered and captivating as a genre.
Alternating atmospheric and uplifting moments with more raw and clean black metal sections, D. projects his own visions into musical form, the result always being a veritable maelstrom of emotions and auditory pleasures.

“The Falling Tide” is the fourth full-length album by WOODS OF DESOLATION, and is expected to be released on December 9th via  Season of Mist Underground Activists.
In executing his idea behind the new title, D. teamed up with the inimitable drummer and keyboardist Vlad (DRUDKH, WINDSWEPT), which, as you can probably guess, can’t help but lead to something extremely beautiful as a result.

The album is another demonstration of depth and a search for new heights on the part of the WOODS OF DESOLATION, and indeed this time every note seems to be touching the thin strings of the soul a bit more than before. The basis of the project and its free artistic expression is preserved, being upgraded with an even richer palette of sounds and a slightly different approach in the production itself.

In the title we can hear six tracks with a total duration of just over 35 minutes, as one of the songs – the fifth anthem on the album, called “The Passing”,  is actually a beautiful instrumental with an interesting drum beat and outstanding guitars. The music on the album is atmospheric, soulful and varies in tempo, keeping the listener interested until the very end.

The rhythmic intro melody of “Far From Here” smoothly leads us into the heart of the track. Pure desperation and a completely raw pain and confusion of being lost in the dark and  deep waters of the stormy sea – one of D.’s beautiful metaphors,  is lurking behind every second of the song. Apart from these heavy emotions, however, atmospheric passages with memorable guitar work creep in at places that stick in the mind. Please, note the great surprise in the middle of the track, which appears and remains until the end with varying position in the mix.

Usually, D.’s vocals sound muffled and ominous, and the instrumental has been brought to the fore thus far, just like in an old-school textbook  – something I always highly embrace in an album.
Well, that’s not quite the case here and  with the first track on the album, D. demonstrates his determination to take a different approach in this aspect.
The vocals are brought to the fore, while the instrumental – still atmospheric and impressive, this time is tucked away in the back of the mix as the vocal parts appear.
It definitely sounds different from what we’ve heard from WOODS OF DESOLATION so far, with each scream clearly distinct and carrying its own goosebumps.

Steeped in original poetry, candid vocals and atmospheric memorable instrumentals, “The Falling Tide” paints pictures of otherworldly wanderings through the deep seas of the human soul. It presents a whole journey from its dark beginning to its bright end, to the inspiring call to reach new horizons.
Death, metaphorical or not, is always followed by the blooming of new flowers, the birth of new stars, so I find the message of this album and its overall concept very inspiring. Melancholic  and deep music,  filled with a lot of charm and enchanting beauty.

“To be, briefly, if only momentary
Life passes by, as fleeting as the golden falling leaves

So gather, unfold, once more
To be, if only momentary
As all will be but a memory
So dream, dream awake, dream life away “

Pre-order link : https://redirect.season-of-mist.com/WOD-TFT

Three of the album’s tracks are currently available for free listening. You can listen to them below and soak up the vibe of what “The Falling Tide” is all about by  yourself.