There is little music more...pure, more wholesome than folk music. Many countries whence came the people who formed and shaped this nation and civilisation as a whole (e.g. those of Europe) have rich musical traditions which survey to-day. Ours, however, is a people too a.) disconnected, and b.) multicultural to feel, and legitimately call, a draw towards the folk music of a given culture; for all intents and purposes, those of Europe (e.g. Scandinavian, Celtic, Slavic, et al). Americans have, however, formed a type of folk-sound which is unique to us...perhaps it belies the nature we are graced with...that I know not. However, it is this which helps define Falls of Rauros's sound, as demonstrated most recently on their debut album Hail Wind and Hewn Oak, released 2008 through Morbid Winter Records, and is even now the #2 bestseller on said label's Distro.Falls of Rauros describe themselves as "North Appalachian Heathen Black Folk Metal." This accurately describes their sound. How could one possibly self-appelate their music "North Appalachian," one might ask; the answer to this is simple - visit Maine. This will be the requisite mind-opener. Choose a sunny day, and preferably outside of a city, when listening to this album - I think of it as early morning music. The passion for a life immersed in the shocking beauty of nature drips from this music - if you, the listener, cannot feel it whilst listening to this, then pop-culture has clearly killed your soul. It is so succinctly embodied in the lyrics, exempli gratia the first verse of one of my favorite tracks, "The Fire We Fathered," There I was, beckoned by the mountain/Up the slopes and to the source I climbed/I knew not in my mind but in my blood/Mankind shall fall/Into the wounds of the world. This song is an epic, 12:01 in length, but it is an ecstatic twelve minutes.
Other favorites on this album are, for me, "Of Stone and The Stars in the Sky" and "To Witness Existence." That said, it is tough for me pick favorites from this album, for it is surely one of my all-time favorite albums - a top ten for me. Each and every song on this album, from the opener ("The Sun Tonight Has Set") to the closing track ("And Never Shall There Be"), will have you swooning, and pining for the forests of Maine. Excuse that war-crime of a pun, if you'd be so kind. Hail Wind is, in summation, an exemplary mix of beautiful, brilliant-autumn-morning-crisp melody and tasteful leads, combined with vocals which sound as if recorded in the midst of rapture.
I could possibly draw a comparison to describe Falls "in a nutshell." Perhaps if one combined Agalloch, Primordial (old and recent), classic Ulver, and Bathory, one can draw a relatively accurate picture. It has been a blast to witness and follow their progression as artists towards realising their vision. This band is certainly one of the most promising in America to-day. Buy or die!
A second opinion by Nova
Within the first minutes of listening, my preconceptions of this album was shattered. I had expected straight up Black Metal, like Immortal or maybe Taake. This album is slow and deceptive. It wants you to believe it's not black metal, with its enticing melodies and haunting atmosphere, but then throws in those unmistakeable blastbeats and raspy vocals I know so well.
It reminds me of Insomnium's "Above The Weeping World" but with a Black Metal twist. This album is really good and very atmospheric, but it's sort of thing you only come back to when you're in a certain mood.
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