Release Date: November 21st 2021. Record Label: Self Released. Format: DD
Funeral Fields - Tracklisting
1.Procession 01:19
2.Ride of the Fedaykin 07:38
3.Frozen Slumber 05:53
4.Matilda 04:14
5.Tore Hund 06:03
Members
Drums - Rasmus Henriksen
Bass - Vegard Skjervøy
Vocals - Bjarte Hein
Rythm Guitar - Einar Bratli
Lead Guitar - Vegard Skjervøy
Review
Funeral FIelds is the second EP from Norwegian Doom/Stoner Metallers Svart Hav which means Black Sea or Black Ocean in English. With this in mind, Svart Hav play nautical inspired Doom Metal and Stoner Metal with a slight Heavy Metal flavour. The EP is quite trippy and psychedelic but not in the ways you would expect.
The EP is a masterful release of restrained moods and grooves with an almost Post-Metal identity but one that is held back by the Heavy Metal strands heard on this EP. Funeral Fields has a Classic Hard Rock and Prog Rock sensibility which sees the band experiment with different Psychedelic sounds and Ambient textures. The Ambient textures do give the impression of WATER being the main theme for this release but all told within the world of Doom/Stoner Metal.
The music can be quite relaxing and soothing when the quieter moments appear but Svart Hav are still clever enough to bring their heavy and loud progressive grooves to an exciting batch of songs such as: Ride Of The Fedaykin, Frozen Slumber and Tore Hund.
The lyrics are definitely inspired by the Norwegian way of life but with an OTT Heavy Metal outlook that allows Svart Hav to be refreshingly different within the modern day Doom/Stoner Metal scene.
The sound of the EP can be quite low in places but nothing to distract your enjoyment of the EP. From the third song Frozen Slumber onwards, this EP becomes a more daring, bolder and heavier release. There is still a cool “LO-FI” element to this EP which becomes quite bewitching from start to finish.
Funeral Fields is a truly impressive release from a band who I only became aware of recently and thanks to Mel Lie of SUNDAY’s HEAVY TUNES and DOOM CHARTS fame. Mel knows what she’s talking about so I had to listen and I’m glad I did. So thanks Mel.
Anyway, if you’re in the mood for NAUTICAL based Doom/Stoner Metal with intelligence and thrilling grooves to match then SVART HAV are here for you all.
Excellent and HIghly Recommended.
Words by Steve Howe
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