Land of Fog

This album has a mysterious feel to it. Hazy synths pervade the place, genre is pretty difficult to classify, singing is of many different styles, some strange samples surprise you when you least expect it. At its simplest definition this is heavy/black metal with much influences taken from gothic and prog metal. Moderate amounts of 6/8, some tempo changes, much variation between the songs. Though far from consistent and controlled, it never falls apart. But in any case I'd rather have it inspired and messy than hole-proof and insipid...

Some of the singing is strangely weak. The growl is not aggressive at all - though it's not really a bad thing in this album - but the listlessness of the clean vocals in a few songs is noticeable. Depending on your mood that might not be a bad thing either. Being esoteric is what this album succeeds in, and the listlessness goes along with the gray "foggy" mood this album uniquely strives for - it's like a state of mind with some parts enlightenment, some parts lunacy and dullness. Overindulgement of modern media and a breakdown as a result. Escape to a personal mental fortress. Portentous things seen at street corners. As I said... esoteric.

I will elaborate on the synths. They're all over the music, sometimes used to create mood, sometimes to create melody. Many different sounds, from poignant electronic twinkles to a more normal piano mode. It works really well, actually. I've rarely heard synths used this prominently in any metal. Their presence reaches psychedelic heights because of all the reverb.

Notes on a couple of tracks. "The Only Way" is one of the best songs. The slowed down canned laughter at the beginning is creepy but necessary. "Interlude" unleashes the prog spirit of this album with no restraints. Can't be called metal, but it doesn't matter because it works. "Escapologies" is yearning but slightly monotonous. A passable closing track, especially with its haunting closing notes.

Note: Fogarty's new band's (Bombs of Enduring Freedom) website has (or has had) this as a free download.