Band: Fires In The Distance
Album: Echoes From Deep November
Label: Prosthetic Records
Genre: Melodic Death Doom
Release Date: 18th September 2020
Feeling washed away in the sonic landscape, Fires In The Distance's upcoming debut Echoes From Deep November is coursing its way through my headphones. I find myself sinking deeper into a trance-like state of being as the keyboard dances in my ears. The newly signed band to Prosthetic Records has a monumental debut, let's break it down.
First, Echoes has an opus-esque quality to it that customarily comes from seasoned veterans. This isn't too out in the left-field as three of the quartet perform together in the melodic death metal act Archaic Decapitator. While several components are borrowed from their other project - specifically the remarkable use of the keys - the somber attitude presented in Echoes is more reminiscent of bands like Swallow the Sun and Novembers Doom. The melodic aspect is effectively nailed down and as a consequence is the strongest element of Echoes. 'Elusive Light' and 'Reflections in the Ice' are in my opinion the two best tracks to illustrate their melodic compositions.
As for any protests I have about the record, they are close to none. The melodic passages sweep through the listener and the heavy verses rain down not unlike a torrential rainstorm. The haunting artwork from Caelen Stokkermans (Within Destruction's Deathwish, Spectrum of Delusion's Neoconception) graces the cover. Echoes is undoubtedly a formidable debut from the Connecticut quartet and once tours start in force I'll be among the first to acquire my tickets to their show.
I'm giving Echoes From Deep November an 8.5/10
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