Published: April 20, 2020

Forlesen are a 3 piece based in the Bay Area. The band have been together since 2018, and can be seen as a super group; Ascalaphus (Vocals, Guitar, Synths, Harmonium) is also in Botanist, Nero Order and Lotus Thief, Bazaelith (Vocals, Guitar, Bass, Synth) is also in Lotus Thief, Botanist and Palace Of Worms and Maleus (Drums) is also in Kayo Dot and Vesper Moth. Hierophant Violent is the first material the band have released. The bands where the members of Forlesen do their day jobs should give you an idea of the general area that this album inhabits. This is an album that has lots of different styles and moods, you’ll need an open mind to appreciate it, as well as some patience.

Patience? Well, this is an album that doesn’t rush, it takes it’s time. Hierophant Violent is made up of two tracks both coming close to twenty minutes in length. The first track Following Light opens with a six minute fade in of ambient tones and the occasional note from a clean guitar. I’m reminded of the very long, slow fade up at the beginning of Pink Floyd’s album Division Bell. The track is then mainly Post Metal, with a definite nod towards expansive doom. The quieter parts of this track are a little reminiscent of Mono, and in the louder, more doomy parts there is a slight resemblance to Wolvennest. The track uses both male and female vocals; both clean, to great effect. Following Light is a great track, but it is all about patience and letting the track develop and grow in the first half, so that the second half washes over you and takes you somewhere special. The second track feels more direct and purposeful.

Nightbridge also has a long fade in, but this time it’s only two to three minutes. The fade in is brought to a halt by crashing drums, signalling that this track is much more driven and resolute. The track then goes into a doomy post metal section that feels expansive and huge, there is a very emotive guitar solo, before the biggest surprise that this album has comes crashing in. We are dropped into a harsh lo-fi Black Metal section that is very second wave in style and savagery. After this the track goes back to doomy post metal, but this time it’s much more aggressive and harsh, as if it has taken on the feel of the black metal section. The track has a short, clean guitar instrumental section before fading back into the firmament.

Hierophant Violent is an intriguing album. A lot of people won’t get it. For a lot of tastes, it takes far too long to get anywhere. If you are a fan of Pop Punk or any other style of music that requires instant gratification, you should probably steer clear of this album. However, if you are stoical and like your music to have some depth and profundity then this is something you will probably like, it’s evocative, expansive and deeply affecting. It needs time to appreciate it properly, but in my opinion, it’s definitely time well spent.