Top Bar
Musique Machine Logo Home ButtonReviews ButtonArticles ButtonBand Specials ButtonAbout Us Button
SearchGo Down
Search for  
With search mode in section(s)
And sort the results by
show articles written by  
 Review archive:  # a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s t u v w x y z

Folge dem Wind - To Summon Twilight [Code666 - 2014]

What’s with French bands taking German names? If I had to guess, I’d wager it’s because German is just simply more metal than French. Anyway, this is the first time I’ve had the pleasure of listening to Folge dem Wind, or “Follow the Wind” in English. They’ve been active since 2005 and until now, they’ve remained relatively underground despite releasing a demo, two full-length albums, and being signed by a reasonably well known label. Based on their stellar performance on To Summon Twilight, this is likely going to change.

Oh, where to begin with this album? I suppose it must be said that To Summon Twilight sounds a bit like a more guitar-driven version of fellow Frenchmen Peste Noire, though without a lot of their latter-day strangeness. That’s not to say that the unhinged, face-melting black metal on To Summon Twilight is completely normal, no, it does contain a bit of that avant-garde strangeness that accompanies a number of Code666’s releases, but it’s kept to a minimum. Kilvaras’s vocal performance also reminds me of Famine’s vocal style, though harsher and a little less high-pitched. Kilvaras mixes it up with some deep-throated roars layered with the breathy shrieks, and even a part that brings to mind Abbath on “Coming With the Fog”. The blend of hysteria, hate, and pain in the vocals is completely riveting, fucking fantastic stuff.

The similarities to Peste Noire end there, and the black metal found on To Summon Twilight is actually fairly unique. Not that it’s completely groundbreaking or anything, but it goes a bit beyond your typical second-wave worship. The tracks have a suffocating, oppressive feeling, and this combined with the deranged shrieks and insistent, writhing riffs conjure mental images of a nightmarish journey through an insane asylum. It’s been a while since an album has genuinely made me feel unsettled, but Kilvaras and the hellish guitar work of guitarists Keolhan and Aekon has done it. That’s not to say that To Summon Twilight is based entirely on atmosphere, though. To claim so would do injustice to the strong performance on each track, especially the fantastic, somewhat melodic riffing on “Coming With the Fog” and “On Dark Paths Our Faith Stays Strong”. Svarthyr’s drumming provides the backbone for this release and despite the clear production, the drums sound nice and full. The drumming is quite varied on this release and Svarthyr hammers out blast beats and slower, militaristic parts with equal ease. 

To Summon Twilight is actually Folge dem Wind’s shortest full-length to date, but at 45 minutes it’s no slouch, and it manages to keep the listener occupied for the entire duration. The unhinged ferocity is slightly at odds with the clear production on the album, but it works wonderfully. Each instrument can be heard clearly and adds deeper, technically proficient levels to the chaotic and frenzied music. This, along with the lack of completely orthodox song structures, is what really captured my attention. Folge dem Wind has plenty of moments of somewhat typical, black metal tremolo sections, but breaks halfway between some tracks, small, avant-garde sections, and plenty of tempo changes are what really kept me hooked.

This is one of those rare albums that holds your attention from beginning to end, and it actually has something going for it beyond a first impression. Repeat listens are definitely required to fully appreciate To Summon Twilight and its deranged beauty beyond the superficial. This album is definitely one of the better things I’ve heard so far this year. It has everything going for it; stand out vocals, killer instrumental work, and an uncommonly evil atmosphere. Now, if you’ll excuse me, I’m off to see if the rest of their discography can hold a candle to this release.

Rating: 4 out of 5Rating: 4 out of 5Rating: 4 out of 5Rating: 4 out of 5Rating: 4 out of 5

Tyler L.
Latest Reviews

Folge dem Wind - To Summon Twilight
What’s with French bands taking German names? If I had to guess, I’d wager it’s because German is just simply more metal than French. Anyway, this is the fir...
190324   Pierre Jodlowski - Séries fo...
180324   José María Sánchez-Verdú - K...
180324   Celer - Cursory Asperses
180324   Burial Ground/ Nights of Terr...
150324   Uncodified - Erased People
150324   The Residents - Secret Show (...
130324   Dagr - Dagr (ltd-theatrical/ ...
130324   Ignaz Schick & Oliver Steidle...
120324   Math - Utterblight
120324   OdNu + Ümlaut - Abandoned Spaces
Latest Articles

Sutcliffe No More - Normal Everyd...
Sutcliffe No More are a British two-piece bringing together Kevin Tomkins & Paul Taylor. Formed in 2021, it’s the spin-off project/ next sonic step...
290224   Sutcliffe No More - Normal Ev...
100124   Occlusion - The Operation Is...
181223   Best Of 2023 - Music, Sound &...
051223   Powerhouse Films - Of Magic, ...
181023   IO - Of Sound, Of Art, Of Exp...
210923   Lucky Cerruti - Of Not so Fri...
290823   The Residents - The Trouble W...
110723   Yotzeret Sheydim Interview - ...
250523   TenHornedBeast - Into The Dee...
050523   Bill Morroni - The Trials & ...
Go Up
(c) Musique Machine 2001 -2023. Twenty two years of true independence!! Mail Us at questions=at=musiquemachine=dot=comBottom