Woods of Desolation - The Falling Tide (2022)

It has been a while since we heard anything from Woods of Desolation and their supremely bleak take on Black Metal. As one of the originators, alongside fellow Aussies of Austere, of the Depressive/Post-Black Metal genres, this one-man band has always delivered unwavering soul crushing music and with “The Falling Tide” they are back at it. If you are a fan of total bleakness, this release is a must have in 2022.

Immediately setting a decadent mood with “Far From Here”, the band’s long hiatus is instantly gone as it continues where it left off. Fierce riffing onslaughts and crushing drumming are expertly flanked by atmospheric oppression. We particularly enjoy the moody tempo changes, as the album pummels through highly emotional songs like “Beneath a Sea of Stars” and “Illumination”.

For those Austere fans, “The Falling Tide” starts with a familiar vibe as it unleashes gut wrenching screams alongside lush and playful dreamy interludes with some shoegaze elements. Other tracks serve as momentum builders, like “The Passing” giving a certain Alcest-like vibe, as it leads to our favorite, the dreamy “The Falling Tide”. Closing with a bang, this track has a more modern edge, invoking some elements of outfits like An Autumn for Crippled Children and Lustre.

As a whole, “The Falling Tide” is a very effective and engaging return from Woods of Desolation. Oozing extreme amounts of melancholy and dreariness, the man behind the music instantly brings back the band’s momentum and massive atmospheric brilliance. Only recommended for fans of the duality between harsh brutality and dreamy soundscapes, this album is one of the most contrasting and yet effective releases of 2022.

Label: Season of Mist Underground Activists

Release: December 9th, 2022

Genre: Atmospheric/Depressive Black Metal/Post-Black Metal

Country: Australia