Ancient Sorrow is the debut EP from atmospheric black metallers Fen.  Mixing aspects of folk, ambient, black metal and prog the band create music that expresses loss, sorrow, exaltation and a sense of ancient pride, sounding like a cross between Rush and Mayhem.  With Ancient Sorrow Fen have created something dark and evil yet, at the same time, something majestic. Opening track “Desolation Embraced” is nearly nine minutes of experimentation with darkness. Surreal vocals layered over epic guitars and an atmospheric drum beat create this weird and wonderful maelstrom.

”The Gales Scream Of Loss” is truly even more epic and ambient than the first track, traces of doom lords Anathema and My Dying Bride can be found all over this song before the coarse Ihsahn style vocals spew out and leave you stranded in a state of white noise, questioning how Fen have managed to surpass Dream Theater when it comes to musical ambience. 

The EP finally gives up the ghost after twelve minutes of “Under The Endless Sky” which starts slowly but is then bombarded with blast beats before the track is anointed with shrill echoing vocals before finally ending the song with a more ambient sound.  

Fen are well worth exploring if you’re a fan of the big UK Doom bands like Paradise Lost, Anathema or My Dying Bride or if you like Mayhem, Emperor and early Dimmu Borgir, and ever wondered what they would sound like with Mike Portnoy or John Petrucci in the band. This is a cracking album from a cracking UK band!

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Track Listing

Desolation Embraced
The Gales Scream of Loss
Under the Endless Sky

Line Up

Grungyn – Bass/Vocals
Theutus – Drums
Draugluin – Keys/Vocals
The Watcher – Lead Voices/Strings/Keys