The first full-length album from Fell Harvest is a crafty construction of raw elements melded into a refined finish.

Southeastern Wyoming is the home of Fell Harvest whose musicians are Joseph Fell (bass and vocals), Liam Duncan (guitar), and Angel Enkeli (drums). They released an EP on the front edge of the pandemic in March last year and worked on this new one during the long months after that. The music is heavy yet quite variegated in note and feel.

Fell Harvest is often referred as a doom metal band but you wouldn’t know it from the first track, “Titanicide,” which sports a vigorous tempo. The title track comes next and the doom definitely lands on it. Solemn and sorrow-filled, the song is not a dirge but instead offers many undulations. Fell’s vocals are commanding and are the center point when active. Guitar rhythms are persistent and recurring, insisting their story is heard.

“Lark in the Morning” starts almost funereally but has a massive eruption during its transit and it is a stand-out track on the album. “The Wind that Shakes the Barley” opens acoustically, ultimately turning into a cross between Death Metal and a sea shanty. “The Barren Fields” leans in on the heavy and has a surprising, stabbing lead break. There is clearly a journey here, and a lot of searching.

The closer is “The Ghosts of Scapa Flow,” the longest cut and a strong contender for my favorite track. There is no rush to it and neither is there any hesitance. The song has its own life and takes what it needs to generate what it wants. A fine resolution.

Pale Light In A Dying World is out now. You can pick up the digital and CD at Bandcamp. Recommended.

Band photo by Sean Castenada.

Links.

Bandcamp, https://fellharvest.bandcamp.com/releases

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