With their fifth full-length album “Winter” set for release on Aural Music/code666 on the 10th March, and the first track to be debuted having caused a considerable stir amongst press and fans, Atmospheric Black Metallers FEN have posted a video for a second track from the album.
Produced by FEN bassist Grungyn, the video for II (Penance) is a combination of scenes filmed during the winter in the mysterious and evocative landscapes that make up the Fens of Eastern England, interspersed with both live and rehearsal footage of the band – un-posed and unvarnished. It is, according to FEN, “A document of a band committed to true sincerity of performance, truly channelling the essence of their music“. It can be seen below and on FEN’s YouTube channel at https://youtu.be/OenMFgZGE94
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Frontman, The Watcher, explains that “Whilst accompanying the second track from ‘Winter’, the video does, in many ways, symbolise much of the overarching themes of the album. Specifically, it visually represents the journey and landscapes described throughout much of the album – fenland and moors dusted in wintry hoarfrost, peat bogs misting in the blaze of the winter sun and above all of it, the cathedral drawing ever-nearer. In line with the title of the track, this embodies our Penance – a monolithic totem exuding dread promise and revelation“.
Since the their formation in early 2006 FEN’s trademark sound of Atmospheric Black Metal, which incorporates elements of post-rock, has seen the band rise on the wave of a resurgence within the UK Black Metal scene. And with “Winter” FEN have produced their most ambitions, and yet most fundamental expression to date. In fact, it could be said that FEN have returned to the very beginnings of their ideology in order to invoke the atmosphere of bleak reflection and ancient sorrow that envelops the Fens, from whence the band originated, and from where they draw their inspiration. As The Watcher explained recently commented about the album:
“With ‘Winter’ we wanted to ‘return to the roots’ of the band so to speak but not in the clichéd, nostalgic way many bands do – instead, we wanted this record to represent the ‘essence’ of Fen in terms of tone, atmosphere and above all concept. This album therefore very much describes a journey towards sanctity and redemption across a landscape steeped in mystery, hints of forgotten darkness and sorrows long since drowned in the distant past. It represents the culmination of over 18 months of writing and rehearsing, pushing ourselves harder and harder as musicians – it is a lengthy and self-indulgent record for which we make no apology. Indeed, it is a fitting tribute to mark ten years of the existence of Fen.”
Rich in sound, beguilingly delicate, and yet laced with darkness, the six-track “Winter” is a colossal piece of work where atmospheric Black Metal and delicate, spacious cleans, have been melded with aspects of 70s Progressive Rock, Shoegaze and Doom Metal, making ‘Winter’ an involving and immersive experience.
Produced by Jaime Gomez Arellano at the Orgone Studios in London (ULVER, ALTAR OF PLAGUES, GRAVE MIASMA, PRIMORDIAL, SOLSTAFIR), “Winter” will be available in Standard CD, Double Black Vinyl limited to 300 copies, and Digital formats. In addition there will also be available a Special Collectors Box limited to 199 copies which will include the standard CD, an additional bonus CD, the DLP with Side A/Side B in a smashed splatter effect of transparent aquamarine and opaque cream, an exclusive T-shirt and poster, and a certificate of authenticity signed by the band. On the strength of the first track debuted, the Collectors Box is on the verge of selling out well ahead of its release date.
With artwork by Grungyn, tracklisting for “Winter” is as follows:
I (Pathway)
II (Penance)
III (Fear)
IV (Interment)
V (Death)
VI (Sight)
Bonus (available on all the Limited formats):
I The Keening Soils
II Sight (Reprise)
III Penumbral Whispers
IV Temples Beyond the Shoreline
“Winter” is now available to pre-order in all versions at http://www.auralwebstore.com
The recently debuted track I (Pathway) can be heard below and at http://fenuk.bandcamp.com/track/i-pathway
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More information about FEN can be found on the band’s Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/fenofficial
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/fenofficial
Bandcamp: https://fenuk.bandcamp.com
Webshop: http://fenmerchandise.bigcartel.com/
Band Contact & Booking: fenbanduk@gmail.com
Aural Music/Code666: http://www.auralmusic.com
Promos: promotion@auralmusic.com
PATRICIA THOMAS BAND MANAGEMENT 