Folge dem Wind - Inhale the Sacred Poison
Code666 Records
Black Metal
8 songs (49:58)
Release year: 2011
Code666 Records
Reviewed by Charles
In some ways this is a paradoxical release: France’s Folge dem Wind celebrate animism, ritualism and primitivism, but their musical influences often seem decidedly modern. Inhale the Sacred Poison suggests several different things; from classy nature-loving blackened acts like Primordial or Altar of Plagues, to more typically savage Norse bands, as well as stranger propositions such as Solefald or occasionally Tool. Despite all this, it often manages a sense of primal grandeur which, on its stronger tracks, gives it a distinctive punch.

The title track opens the record imposingly enough, with crashing doom chords and tribalistic drumming underpinning Kilvaras’s fearsome, wounded-animal vocals. The latter in particular are extremely effective, coming on a bit like a black metal Mike Patton, as they slip from this multi-layered combination of horrific below and panicked shriek, into a hissed whisper accompanying the almost jazzy breakdown to which this livid opening temporarily gives way. At nine minutes long, this is a punishing opener, whose lumbering mid tempo riffs get their efficacy from the rumbling heaviness of the sound (the producer is Emperor and Dimmu collaborator Tom Kvalsol).

Indeed, the power of this album often relies on its ability to bludgeon you with the primal savagery of its delivery. On the one hand, thanks to the vocals in particular as well as the meatiness of the guitar tones, it is quite successful in doing this. On its stronger moments, as with the jagged, forked-lightning riffing of Of Blood and Ether, the sights, sounds and smells of a tribal life in commune with animal spirits are brought easily to mind by the band’s anguished bellow. In this sense one of the high points is the warlike introduction to Through the Eyes of the Immortal, which seems to be a paganistic aping of Diamond Head’s classic metal cliché-riff, Am I Evil.

But this approach also runs the risk of getting bogged down, and so the band wisely throw in some curveballs. Behind the Grey Veil begins as a slow and murky parade of groaning electric riffs, before winding down into a curious Solefald-like saxophone interlude. A nice idea, though it doesn’t feel well-executed enough, especially following the masterclass in saxophone-metal delivered recently by Ihsahn. Of Reptillian Fires, however, is a cleverly constructed highlight, starting with vocal death moans, and sinister clean guitar plucking juxtaposed with clunking electric bass flourishes. It is a slow-burning builder, from eerie tribal chanting culminating in a violent thrash riff and crackling lead guitar line.

At its best Inhale the Sacred Poison is a powerful and intriguing record with a cathartically primitive feel. It hints at a strong dynamic range which could really give Folge dem Wind a new dimension, but at this stage their subtler proclivities are not realised as effectively as their brutal side is.

Killing Songs :
Of Blood and Ether, Of Reptillian Fires
Charles quoted 70 / 100
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