Drawing from dark ambient, epic doom, black metal and slowcore, FORLESEN subvert traditional songwriting with their new full-length, Black Terrain. The album weaves heartbreak and hypnosis to show the band at their most vulnerable and vicious. Black Terrain will be released on October 28th, via I, Voidhanger Records.
FORLESEN formed in San Francisco at the end of 2016 and released their debut, Hierophant Violent, in 2020. Comprised of two side-length tracks, it soon found a cult following. Now based in Portland, OR, FORLESEN continues their compositional evolution with Black Terrain, expanding into previously untapped musical realms.
As with their debut, Black Terrain’s monolithic songs, at times approaching twenty minutes in length, fully immerse the listener in a contrast of the serene and cacophonous. “Strega” begins shrouded in eerie atmosphere before embarking on a journey from vulnerable ballad to hymnal dirge. The ferocity of “Harrowed Earth” thrusts the album into the realm of black and doom metal. In the aftermath, “Saturnine” brings the album full circle, culminating in an ethereal mantra.
Black Terrain evokes a sense of the grand, but also the intimate. Each instrument and voice is carefully placed and each musical transition seamless to prevent the mesmerizing spell from being broken. FORLESEN have crafted a stunning cinematic masterpiece.
FORLESEN is:
Ascalaphus (ex-BOTANIST) – Vocals, guitars, synth, harmonium, bass
Bezaelith (LOTUS THIEF) – Vocals, bass, guitars, synth
Petit Albert (LOTUS THIEF) – Guitars, synth, Hammond B3 organ, backing vocals
Maleus (ex-KAYO DOT, ex-MAUDLIN OF THE WELL) – Drums
Credits:
Glockenspiel and trumpet performed by Leila Abdul-Rauf.
Music and lyrics by Ascalaphus except lyrics on Black Terrain by Bezaelith.
All music arranged by Forlesen. Drums and Hammond B3 recorded by Justin Phelps at the Hallowed Halls, Portland, OR.
All other recording done in various home studios between 2018 and 2021.
Mixed by Jack Shirley at the Atomic Garden, Oakland, CA.
Mastered by Garrett Haines at Treelady Studios, Pittsburgh, PA.
Artwork by Benjamin A. Vierling
Links:
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/forlesen
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/forlesenmusic/
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/0hbsfntkd5jzcw2ytorlmy?si=5d69081c91cd47c6
Bandcamp: https://hypnoticdirgerecords.bandcamp.com/album/hierophant-violent