Forefather - Deep Into Time
Angelisc
Black/Viking Metal
9 songs (40:19)
Release year: 1999
Forefather
Reviewed by Thomas
Archive review

Formed in 1997, UK metallers Forefather has to take their part of the blame for the viking metal tag that has been handed out far and wide ever since the introduction of monotonous folk melodies in black metal. Deep Into Time was their debut and more or less quite the debut. Mature song-writing and varied tunes stuffed with melody, rawness, riffs and furious drumming and breaks, is the recipe for catastrophy here. Think Bathory and Vintersorg mingled with blasting black metal bits and pieces as well as a touch of Bal-Sagoth. Carrying a torch of rape and plunder, the vikings of Forefather deliver a strong, axe-hurling wave of tremolo riffs with neat melodies and clean, mighty vocals weaved in here and there. Though the actual riffing is better than the melodies, the mix creates a sparkling inferno, and moody transitions that should spark some life in both the raw, black heart of the trve kvlt boys as well as with those who appreciates cathchy-ness and hooks in their black metal stew. The thick and meaty guitar-playing are thrown straight in your face with no intention to let up. Except the intro and outro The Wild Dance, this is face-melting anglo-saxon metal from beginning to end. There's a drum-machine doing the blasting here by the way, which I didn't notice until I read it somewhere. Needless to say, the production is great, as the overall sound of this will jump out and attack you fiercely.

The album flows very nicely, especially the first three, that easily can be pointed out as highlights. All containing every single enjoyable element. Slower parts, clean parts, excellent, brutal rasps, enchanting dark melodies that will spell-bind you as well as breathtaking and beck-snapping breaks. Deep Into Time is an album of epic proportions even though it doesn't last much longer than forty minutes. The evil and dark atmosphere nods towards dangers looming in the shadows. May it be bloodthirsty vikings or beasts. Huge choirs and arrangements (not symphonic) lifts this to Valhalla, where these warriors can dwell among their own, ancient gods as well as blood and warlust. There isn't much more to add to this, other than if you're a black metal enthusiast that appreciates its melody, your filthy hands should be on this motherfucker which may just be the best thing Forefather have released yet. On to The Fighting Man! Hail Odin and a mug of mead!

Killing Songs :
ALL! but Ancient Voice and Ornamented Sword might be my favourites!
Thomas quoted 86 / 100
Other albums by Forefather that we have reviewed:
Forefather - Last of the Line reviewed by Alex and quoted 79 / 100
Forefather - The Fighting Man reviewed by Thomas and quoted 87 / 100
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