Doom Folk

Ockra, Gratitude (Argonauta 2023)

Wayne Edwards, , , , , ,

Gothenburg doom folk band Ockra release their debut album, Gratitude.

Ockra formed in Sweden in 2018 and is comprised of members of the stoner doom band Sulphur Dreams. The three wanted to stretch out a bit and explore related musical realms. The music they create floats between heavy and quiet, stoner and folk, pop and perhaps soft jazz. It is an interesting and uncommon combination. The band is Jonas Nyström (drums, percussion, mellotron), Erik Björnlinger (guitar), and Alex Spielhaupter (vocals, bass, mellotron).

“Introspection” is a song that is perfectly titled, and a nice way to ease into the seven-track set. It is short, quiet, and has a steady build toward “Weightless Again.” This guitar-driven song does indeed have a nostalgic tone to it in the rock beginning. The passage that enters next conjures a drifting sense of solitude and peacefulness. The quiet vocals are reassuring, but not because of what they are saying so much as for the way the singing feels in your ears. Toward the end, the framing returns to its initial state, making a big exit. “Tree I Planted” comes next, rolling in on a welcoming bass line. This one leans more in the folk direction, picking up toward the end. “Acceptance” is the heaviest so far, opening with a stern guitar riff and a serious, if not menacing, stance. The early lead guitar break is a sign of things to come. There is a mild-mannered moment but the song finishes heavy and it is a fine way to end side one.

The back triplet begins with “We, Who Didn’t Know,” an extremely quiet piece for half its duration, sounding then like music being played in a distant meadow. The second half is electric and resounding, filled with a depth of production. “Imorgon Här” is a lament, in my ears at least, told at a slow pace and with some trepidation. The final song is “Tage Wie Dieser,” set up in the by-now-familiar format of quiet and slow leading to more active, aggressive music. While there is some structural similarity to these songs, they do not really sound that much alike. Each has its own being, intent, and narrative. If you are in a reflective mood, this album will be most welcome. Recommended.

Gratitude is out on Friday, May 26th through Argonauta Records. You can get more information at the links below.

Links.

Bandcamp, https://ockra.bandcamp.com/

Facebook, https://www.facebook.com/ockraband/

Argonauta Records, https://www.argonautarecords.com/

© Wayne Edwards

Ockra, Gratitude (Argonauta 2023)

Blood Ceremony, The Old Ways Remain (Rise Above 2023)

Wayne Edwards, , , , , , , , ,

Psychedelic folk rock band Blood Ceremony reveal more secrets on their fifth album, The Old Ways Remain.

Blood Ceremony is a psychedelic doom band with acid folk tinges and a unique approach to heavy music. In fact, they are pretty light on the doom and the heavy, instead emphasizing the other aspects. The prominent use of a flute is the first thing you think of, but it is not the only element. The compositions are grand in an understated way – I know that sounds like nonsense, but listen in and maybe you will see what I mean. From their first album in 2018 through to the new one, the originality of their creations is unmistakable and impressive. The band is Sean Kennedy (guitar), Alia O’Brien (vocals, flute, organ), Lucas Gadke (bass), and Michael Carrillo (drums).

The first of ten tracks is “The Hellfire Club,” which starts with a great popping lick introducing lush vocals. The returning guitar always catches your attention, sharing the spotlight with the singing. And then the flute steps in and sets this music apart from all others in the valley. The short ripping lead break toward the end is a nice touch as well. “Ipsissimus” puts the flute up front, and now we are expecting it and it is a regular and welcome part of the music. The cool seventies flow is fantastic … like floating down a river on your back watching a calm and fascinating sky. “Eugenie” stands out for the elegant way it pairs the vocal to the guitar, and the thoroughly engaging base line. Excellent.

Every song on the album has something special about it that makes it stand out. I am especially enamored with “Powers of Darkness” for its understated wickedness (and lead guitar break), and “Mossy Wood” for its mysteriousity and bardly setting. The set comes to a close on “Song of the Morrow,” the longest track and perhaps the most somber. The music on this album has great depth because of the range of instruments that are employed and, frankly, because of the talent of the musicians in writing and performing it. If you are into folk rock/metal that reaches into other realms as well, you are going to like this album. Highly recommended.

The Old Ways Remain is out on Friday, May 5th through Rise Above Records. Follow the links below to get yours.

Band photo by Mathew Manna.

Links.

Facebook, https://www.facebook.com/bloodceremonyrock/

Rise Above Records, https://riseaboverecords.com/artists/riseaboveartists/bloodceremony/

© Wayne Edwards

Blood Ceremony, The Old Ways Remain (Rise Above 2023)

Gåte, Nord (Indie Recordings 2021)

Wayne Edwards, , , , ,

Heavy folk band Gåte release their fifth album, Nord.

It has been more than twenty years since Gåte first got together in Norway. They have released eight previous recordings – four each of EPs and LPs. The music is what I call acoustic doom. I am also at peace with doom folk as a label. The musicians are Gunnhild Sundli (vocals and violin), Magnus Børmark (guitar, vocals, and percussion), Sveinung Sundli (Hardanger fiddle, organ, vocals, and percussion) Jon Even Schærer (percussion and vocals).

“Solfager og Ormekongen” has the sound of a soft and soulful tale with persistent tamping percussion, organic huffing in the background, strings, and the occasional impression of woodland creatures. The English translation of the title is “Solfager and the Worm King” and there is a detailed description of the story, too, in the press materials. It is nice to read, and certainly interesting, but it also a little like cheating since I will never understand the lyrics when I hear them sung. Whenever I hear songs in a language I do not know, the vocal becomes a pure instrument with only the literal sound and the emotional expression that comes through the presence of the singer’s voice. It is an incomplete experience but it is also an unclouded one.

I love Gunnhild Sundli’s voice and, listening to it without narrative understanding, I am nonetheless transfixed. This is not metal, not even folk metal. And yet, listen to “Rideboll og Gullborg” and tell me it is not heavy in tone and deep in ponderment. Like doom music. The folk setting and the use of traditional instruments, especially the heavy reliance on percussion, changes the perspective and style, but does not disturb the seriousness or the depth of emotion. To me, it is enthralling. Recommended.

Nord is out on Friday, December 3rd through Indie Recordings. Bandcamp is the place to go in the US for an easy acquisition.

Links.

Website, https://gaate-music.com/

Bandcamp, https://gaate.bandcamp.com/

Facebook, https://www.facebook.com/Gaateband

Indie Recordings, https://shop.indierecordings.no/

Gåte, Nord (Indie Recordings 2021)