From the Vault: Gallowbraid - Ashen Eidolon (2010)
Gallowbraid’s Ashen Eidolon (10/10). This US Atmospheric Black Metal masterpiece from 2010 remains a peak of the Cascadian style and romanticist longing. Read more!
Band: Gallowbraid
Album: Ashen Eidolon
Genre: Atmospheric Black Metal
Country: United States
Label: Northern Silence Productions
Released: September 17, 2010
Introduction:
In the landscape of American black metal, few names carry the same mythic weight as Gallowbraid. Emerging from the high deserts of Salt Lake City, Utah in 2010, the project, helmed by Jake Rogers (of Visigoth and Caladan Brood fame), released a singular, 31-minute masterpiece titled Ashen Eidolon. It remains one of the most poignant examples of "Cascadian" black metal ever committed to tape, a record that doesn't just invite you to listen, but to wander.
Track Listing:
- Ashen Eidolon
- Autumn I
- Oak and Aspen
- Autumn II
The Album:
From the first acoustic strains of the title track, Ashen Eidolon establishes a mood of profound, romanticist longing. While the DNA of early Agalloch is undeniable, Rogers infuses the sound with a more vibrant, "pagan" energy. The melodies aren't just mournful; they are triumphant, mirroring the cycle of life and decay. The structure of the EP is symmetrical and intentional. Two towering epics "Ashen Eidolon" and "Oak and Aspen" act as the anchors, bridged by the instrumental "Autumn" interludes. These longer tracks are marvels of composition, transitioning seamlessly from cascading blast beats and raspy shrieks to soaring, clean-vocal choruses that stick in your brain like a folk melody you've known since childhood.
What sets Gallowbraid apart is the balance. Many "folk-black" bands lean too heavily on the "black" (losing the melody) or the "folk" (losing the teeth). Rogers manages to keep the production crisp yet earthy. The guitars possess a mid-paced crunch that feels like trampling through dried leaves, while the drumming (provided by Alex Rogers) provides a driving, kinetic pulse that prevents the atmosphere from becoming stagnant.
"Oak and Aspen," perhaps the highlight of the release, showcases Jake's incredible vocal range. His clean delivery is rich and resonant, providing a haunting contrast to the blackened snarls. The lyrics ruminate on mortality and nature's indifference, capturing that specific ache of watching the sun set on a crisp October afternoon.
For those attending Fortress Festival this year, you'll be in for a special treat. Gallowbraid is set to perform live for the first time in the band's existence and will be performing Ashen Eidolon in its entirety.
Conclusion:
Ashen Eidolon is more than a release; it’s a mood piece for the soul. It captures the essence of the Cascadian style while injecting it with a sense of epic heavy metal grandeur. Despite being a decade and a half old, it has never been topped in its specific niche. A masterpiece within the genre. It is a mandatory listen for fans of atmospheric black metal, or truthfully anyone who finds beauty in the withering of the world around them.
BMZ Rating: 10/10
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