Forgotten Woods-As The Wolves Gather

Band: Forgotten Woods
Album: As The Wolves Gather
Genre: Raw Black Metal
Release Date: 1994
Lyrical Themes: Depressive, Occult, Nature, Night
Origin: Norway (Etne/Ølen)

Review:
100%

One thing that I have always loved about Forgotten Woods was that in each and every album they have released, they have had a different stylistic approach to their raw sound, and yet, with all of their different styles used, they still pack the originality like crazy. As The Wolves Gather is no exception. From the raw, and raspy vocal styles of their first few demos to the traditional black metal screams, to screeching, etc., they always have something new to present to their very small audience.

The atmosphere of this album overall will send chills down your spine. You can nearly hear the howls of the wolves in the distance, the snow against your feet, and the breeze of the wilderness beating against your body. It is absolutely remarkable. The guitar work in this album, though relatively simple, is absolutely outstanding, primarily in the tracks, Dimension of the Blackest Dark, and the title track As The Wolves Gather.

The atmosphere of these riffs is what makes this album outstanding in my opinion. The guitar work in this album also range in emotion from angry/exciting like in "As The Wolves Gather" all the way to being depressive and cold like "Dimension of the Blackest Dark." No matter what kind of emotional style of Black Metal you are into, that being depressive, angry, hateful, nihilistic, or whatever, there will be a little something for everybody in this album.

The vocals in this album are loud, and echo a lot, which adds to the atmosphere a lot. At times, they even sound like a wolf's howl, which helps add to the atmosphere even more. The only drawback to this album are the lengths to some of the songs, reaching nearly 10 minutes, which gets annoying not because of the length primarily, but because the riffs get a little repetitive at times, and go on for ten minutes of the song, only giving a couple breaks through out the song for a few seconds.

Overall, this album reigns as one of my favorite black metal albums because of its absolutely outstanding and cold atmosphere. I suggest this album to any fan of any of the black metal genres, from first wave of black, second, third, raw, depressive/suicidal, melodic, and beyond. It will entertain any black metal fans. You will enjoy this album. I sure did. The best songs in this album in my opinion are "As The Wolves Gather," and "Dimension Of The Blackest Dark." Some of the best riffs in Black Metal are on this album. It is definitely worth the listen.

Tracks:

1. Eclipsed (6:26)
2. As The Wolves Gather (10:29)
3. In My Darkest Visions (8:45)
4. Winter (0:48)
5. Grip Of Frost (5:55)
6. Dimension Of The Blackest Dark (7:13)
7. Svartedauden (1:49)
8. Through The Dark And Forgotten Valleys (9:01)

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