Wraithfyre – Of Fell Peaks and Haunted Chasms

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UK’s symphonic black metal Wraithfyre debuted its first full-length album 'Of Fell Peaks and Haunted Chasms' on July 26th, 2024. The band was formed by the multi-musician and vocalist Tom O'Dell whose composition is draped in dark and somber tones of the second wave of black metal. The debut presents seven tracks and an intro and more amusingly the artist combines melodic elements attributed to atmospheric black metal.

The shimmering synth plays a dramatic role in creating a haunting ambiance. While the vocals are not just grim, the guitar is heavily layered with a rich texturing and the cascading synth. Seeking deeper inspiration from the early and mid-nineties era, it feels like Wraithfyre displays a primitive mixture of Norwegian black metal. The trademark sound can be heard clearly on the album’s intro ‘A Lunar Descent’ and the following five-minute song ‘Fallen Before their Blazing Altar’ which is melodic and raw and brought with the effect of the dark sprawling atmosphere.

The guitar riffs bouncing off the wall of sound is one of the key elements of many of the melodies and it captures the vocal screeches which are brought effectively. The guitar riffs reflecting on the melodic and mid-tempo style alongside the synth flow through some heavy drumming sections, some full of frenzied vocals and others brimming with majestic and hooky synths.

Queen of the Blighted Throne’ contains some galloping riffs. The blasting sections are fully coated in synth. Otherwise, Wraithfyre spontaneously shares some similarities to Tartaros and Old Man’s Child. However, the guitars on the album stand out as they bring some energetic vibe. Especially, when the synth enhances the atmosphere, the music becomes symphonic.

Infernal Heresy’ is one of the best songs and has that grim feeling. The shifts in tempo infuse sharp riffing. At times, where the grim backdrop of the music provides a range of emotions, it seems the riffs on the album are played in the style of aggressive and melodic black metal. Still, there are some tremolo pickings that paint the somberness of the second wave, yet the keyboards are perfectly suited for this kind of music.

Wraithfyre employs these effects with heavy guitar reverb and probably this is what gives the songs a modern feel. Despite the excessive melodies, there is a balance to maintain the flow of the music on tracks such as ‘Ablaze in Abyssal Frosts’. There’s also a guest appearance by Ethan Bishop (Bykürius, Cairiss and Mountainscape) who executes some beautiful guitar solos. The sharp guitar and the drums contrast with the haunting soundscapes of the synth while the drums deliver blast beats.

Echoes of a Forgotten Dream’ ,which has some frosty elements of black metal, builds up an up-tempo pace. The drumming on this track is aggressive, but keeps the same climax, and the blast beats carry on sporadically. What stands out here is the mysterious and the otherworldly synth which is placed in the middle of the song.

In ‘Eternal Pyres from Beyond the Void’ the sole musician emphasizes the guitar. In the heavy nuances of melodic black metal with its metallic powerful riffs, the tremolo-picked riffs are marvelously played through the mid-paced drums.

The atmosphere is always placed ahead and most notably the song shines with the fabulous lead guitar section which is played by Mike Lamb (Sojourner, Remina and Lord of Shadows). Of course, the synth provides a chilling and majestic atmosphere at this fantastic display of textures. The doom-laden guitar riff on the closing track ‘Dark Souls Devoured’ showcases different compositions where the guitars maintain the heavy tone of the song, and the background music swells to a somber orchestration.

REVIEW SCORE

  • Music / Songwriting 8/10
  • Vocals / Lyrics 8/10
  • Mix / Production 9/10
  • Artwork & Packaging 9/10
  • Originality 8/10
8.4

The sole composer Tom O’Dell has crafted an excellent album, ‘Of Fell Peaks and Haunted Chasms’, which weaves majestic, melodic and symphonic elements of black metal. It is one of the best upcoming acts to hail from the UK in the last decade and comes highly recommended for fans of Vargrav, Moonlight Sorcery and Tartaros.

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