(This review first appeared in issue 51 of Shindig! magazine)
Fans of The Incredible
String Band, Heron and Comus take note. Australian acid-folkers
Trappist Afterland have quietly released an album each year since
their 2011 debut The Round Dance Of The Cross. They've honed
their craft and vision on their fifth and latest Afterlander
which has a sound drenched more in olde England myth and mist than
Melbourne surf and sun. With its Old Testament prophesying and
limited Christ-blood red vinyl release, the vibe is as eerie and
sinister as a deleted scene from Witchfinder General.
Though the freak-folk
flag is raised high the mood is resolutely downbeat, thanks to
chain-like percussion, hypnotic use of drone and repeated chants and
mantras. Despite an instrumental smorgasbord that includes oud,
tanpura, tabla, bowed psaltery, hammered dulcimer, harmonium, cello
and more it's let down slightly by a sameness in mood and tempo.
Though if apocalyptic wyrd folk is your bag dive right in!
Click here for Sunstone Records
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