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FUNERAL PILE - SUMMONING
A beautiful and grim triumph, Summoning is the second LP from Bavarian blackened doom metal band Funeral Pile, evoking the dark and a theatre of rich, ancient myth. Inspired by tales of tragedy and relentless nature, the album is very much themed around tales retold with a sinister spin of extreme metal. There is the bleak, the haunted and the damned. Vocals are brutally delivered by Matthias Riedl, with distorted roars, tormented echoes and impressive sustains. Winterherz (from Waldgeflüster) accompanies on track “The Mill”, driving up the intensity and bleakness of the tale.
Storytelling is strong in the lyrics, with songs such as the tragedy “The Ghost of Orion” and “Mountains of Madness” painting some vivid imagery among the poetic verses. These lyrics, written by members Ralf Gröger and Riedl, were inspired by historical myths and works of fiction drawn from the world over, creating an emotional and profound exploration of grim struggles. The brutality of the riffs and wall of bass strengthen the stories and their lyrical impact, flowing well through each section. “Hope is a Lie” and “Mountains of Madness” draw from literary classics and are an insightful gaze into the interpretation of the work of others and the art birthed from inspiration itself.
The forces of Gröger, Annike Schirmann and Mathias Neuwert combine to weave alternating riffs that compliment each other, supported by Martin Schirmanns’ fierce bass-playing. A snippet of “The Unendurable” gives the bass small room for a solo to bring the style and sound to the forefront, while the double bass passages on “The Ghost of Orion” is an intense, satisfying listen. “Hope Is a Lie” is a heavy, drawn out epic, with each instrument bouncing off each other. The skill is driven and technical, creating this unique and hooking listen. Meanwhile, “Chimera” has a wicked undertone in its heavier riffing - the layers in this album are a morbid joy to consume.
Drums are also provided by Martin Schirmann with absolute precision, elevating screams and riffs to highlight the epic nature of the stories being played, marching through tracks and spaced well between verses. When the intensity drives towards the end of the album, the thunderous, faster beats appear to suit. The energy in this album is pure fervour harnessed with harmony and synergy by each member, with full chaos on display without being chaotic in nature.
All in all, Summoning is a passionately weaved, narrative-driven album, deeply haunting and atmospheric as it boldly leads you through fear, hopelessness and the unknown. The intensity is gripping, sinking its teeth and resulting in a memorable, otherworldly listen.
SCORE 9/10
REVIEWED BY GhostinthearmouR