Old Growth gets out of the shadow.
This one-man band created by Animist (all instruments/vocals) in 2020 offers us a first album, entitled Mossweaver, for the end of the year.
I didn’t know the project, so it was with some kind of foreboding that I started to listen to the music. However, all my doubts quickly vanished as soon as Old Growth, the first track, began. An as dissonant as crystal clear sound, violent but outstanding riffs, an oppressive but fascinating atmosphere. Once this surprise effect is gone, we are undoubtedly caught by this Atmospheric Post-Black that enchants and surrounds us. Majestic leads easily find their way through a dark rhythmic weathered by visceral howlings, that we seem to recognize, particularly on the seizing Red Clouds. Screams haunt us while stabbing riffs lacerate us, creep in our mind, slow down then accelerate, like on the moving Queen of the Woodland Realm. While an animist and close to nature dimension can be felt inside of all tracks, Call of the Night Spirit offers a break with shamanic tones before Altar of Wisdom, the last track. After a soft introduction, a wave of pure blackness strikes, accompanied as usual by tearing howls.
There are some albums that seem to be obvious. Mossweaver is one of them. Old Growth’s universe is way more than music, it’s a true ritual, a communion between notes and a mind.
95/100