(written by Islander)
Today we have a reminder for you — and, as you’ll see and hear, it’s not a subtle nudge or a polite whisper. The reminder is that the epic black metal band Saille (originally formed in Belgium but now a fully Netherlands-based group) released their sixth album Forebode last month through Non Serviam Records, and it’s one you really ought to check out if you haven’t already. The reminder takes the form of a new lyric video for the ravishing album track “Cycle of Cynicism” that we’re premiering today.
For those listeners who are new to Saille’s music, this latest album provides a great introduction. It includes four new songs, of which “Cycle of Cynicism” is one, but also a newly re-recorded version of “Haunter of The Dark” from their 2013 album Ritu and an extended classical version of “Eater of Worlds” from their 2014 album Eldritch, with additional instruments.
In addition, the physical edition of the album (unlike the digital version) includes three bonus tracks — live recordings, featuring a violinist, that were captured at Metal Méan Festival and Graspop Metal Meeting.
And now… onward to the new lyric video for “Cycle of Cynicism“.
The words to the song, voiced in viciously crackling but quite intelligible tones, are profoundly dramatic and daunting — they welcome you to your inevitable demise and the terrifying splendor of infinite darkness. The visuals are equally daunting, providing panoramas of looming, lifeless structures, imposing crags, and winter cold — the enduring dominance of death spreads before the eyes.
This is also one of those welcome songs in which the music is a match for the imposing and frightening lyrics. That music is vast and turbulent, and becomes even more expansive as the song proceeds.
The drumming from the outset is furious, and the other instrumentation generates a dense and encompassing squall of sound, both searing and fuzzed, within which the lead guitar vividly rises and falls, creating a melody that sounds simultaneously fearful and bereft.
After a short pause, the chords elevate and become more symphonic, seeming to sweep even more broadly and frighteningly. The whirring lead guitar also elevates further and sounds even more distressing. But another shift also occurs — the drums vividly clatter and the notes mysteriously and enticingly ring, and then seem to moan.
When the music towers and spreads once more, a piercing guitar solo slithers and swirls in splendid ways, almost jubilant but also perilous, and those viciously snarling vocals reach new zeniths of inflamed savagery.
Or, to boil down the experience to a single word, the song is breathtaking.
Forebode was mixed by guitarist Reinier Schenk and mastered by Tom Kvålsvoll at Kvalsonic Lab in Norway. Artwork and layout were created by Tamara Llenas of Aimed & Framed (Spain), echoing the visual style of the band’s first four albums. Llenas has also handled the videos tied to the release.
For more info about Saille and Forbode, and to acquire the album, see the links below. It’s recommended for fans of: Carach Angren, Immortal, Dimmu Borgir, Dissection, and Dark Funeral.
NON SERVIAM:
https://www.non-serviam-records.com/products/saille-forebode-digipak
https://non-serviam-records.bandcamp.com/album/forebode
http://www.facebook.com/nonserviamrecords
https://www.instagram.com/non_serviam_records/
SAILLE:
https://sailleofficial.com/
https://www.instagram.com/saille.official/
https://www.facebook.com/SAILLE.Official