Where British black metal has lacked Fen have certainly made up for. They formed in 2006 and have over the years developed a bleak atmospheric sound inspired by the desolation of the English Fens. Their fourth album Carrion is set for release November 24th.
The album has only six tracks, but as often with atmospheric metal they're long ones and with that length comes a lot of diversity within each of them. Each song is full of strange and contrasting moods, it's so cold and bleak, yet it embraces you with such warmth. It's so close, yet so distant.
Musically the style has progressed beyond traditional black metal creating something more intelligent, thoughtful and diverse, though the genres roots shine clearly through. At times it's like there's an undercurrent of rage while a stream of contentment soars blissfully above it, like a stormy sea beneath a blue, cloudless sky. Throughout it's like being saved from the abyss, before the music turns around and drops you right back in it.
The music transitions seamlessly between the light ethereal and heavier passages, utilising a wide range of black and post-black styles. These are intertwined with cleaner guitar melodies. Vocally there's a mix of clean and harsh styles which are sometimes combined, aiding the music's multi-textured quality. The smooth vocals echo a deep sense of melancholy and at times apocalyptic despair. Everything combined sends shivers down the spine.
With Carrion Skies, Fen have succeeded in creating a diverse record that seamlessly brings together many seemingly juxtaposing styles, resulting in an emotionally captivating end product that will satisfy listeners looking for something more than empty shredding and cold rage. 9.5/10