A convincing album which can easily seduce avid listeners of ritualistic soundscapes where acoustic instrumental elements are melted with ambient-cinematic epicness.
Ominous electronic sound ritualism
If the Czech Republic is a cradle for the understated dark musical underground—thanks to pioneering works from sound artists such as Vladimir Hirsch—Blind Ruler Cursed Land is a name that should be taken into consideration about the latest stages of adventurous music with post-nihilist and radical experimental-tinged sound explorations. It is a one man band headed by Willhelm Grasslich who is responsible for the the music, lyrics, and audio montage.
This project published a handful of conceptual albums mixing various sampled textures with gauzy drone vibes, post apocalyptical, then esoteric dark-folk thematics. This new album titled Music for Firewalkers is welcome and co-produced by Gladivs Records (France) and Sky Burial (Slovakia). It is a spirited musical dive in dark acoustic balladries and ominous electronic sound ritualism. The whole and diversified orchestration punctuated by declamatory voices enhances a feeling of emotional gravity and solemn grandeur that must appeal to fans of groundbreaking dark-folk music, notably with most iconic representatives of the genre.
All along the pieces the music brilliantly alternates tense, majestic, atmospheric and bucolic passages which follow a rigorous and cohesive musically narrative frame. Somewhere between Triarii, Schloss Tegal, Furvus, Runes Order, Toroidh, and Aeterna. A convincing album which can easily seduce avid listeners of ritualistic soundscapes where acoustic instrumental elements are melted with ambient-cinematic epicness.
Music for Firewalkers is available on Gladivs & Sky Burial.
