Blood of the black owl-Light the fires

Bindrune
2012

Blood of the black owl are certainly one of those bands where I have to be in a certain mood to listen to them. I have enjoyed their work in the past, but firmly acknowledge that I have to be patient when sitting down to listen to them. The new album is no different because I have to sit back and let it soak in before passing judgement. This isn't straight forward at all. Blood of the black owl create vast landscapes of sound. They tend to get the progressive rock label slapped on them and that's totally off. Blood of the black owl don't just mix in nature sounds with the music, but instead the nature sounds guide much of their music. However this isn't just blowing a few flutes and shaking a couple of rattles, but instead they use numerous sounds and instruments to created the layers and textures of their creations.The sounds tend to be sparse and frequently trickle or drag along. The vocals are few in comparison with the total run time of the album, but when they happen it's done in a gruff manner and still stay secondary to the music. There are moments where I hope for the band to do more, but eventually they do. It's just that they get to where they are going at their pace and through their own route. That's where patience from the listener comes in. This album has it's share of tedious moments, but it has has more than it's share brilliant parts as well. The good far outweighs anything else on "Light the fires". This is an album where I wish I can turn down the lights, sit back and feel like I am far out in the woods looking up at the stars in the sky. However there is certainly a sinister undertone to much of the music as well. Not for everyone, but always a band whose albums I look forward to.

Blood of the black owl-A banishing ritual

Bindrune
2010

On their third release Seattle's Blood of the black owl construct a style that pulls upon elements of drone, ambient black metal and other styles. That barely scratches the surface of their sound because they are very far from typical. There is nothing truly direct about their music because they construct their songs through long stretches. The music revolves around flute and guitars that vary between subtle and faint up to menacing and dark. The drums also run the range from being vary much in the background up to leading the attack of creating a mood of imminent terror. In terms of real metal it takes a while to get to any parts that fall under that heading and even then they are used sparingly. The echoing vocals don't start until well into the disc. This isn't the easiest album to take and those lacking patience are going to be hard pressed to take the whole thing. It took me a few listens to really appreciate what BOTBO were doing and to absorb all that they were presenting. Eventually I caught on and the swirling, deep sounds pulled me in and even had a hypnotic effect on me at times. There is a terrifying quality at times that slowly creeps up on you. Now there were plenty of other moments where the sounds and music are just slowly winding along and it's not always a trail that is easy to follow. This is probably an album that works best as background music and I can appreciate it in that respect. I eventually did take to this release, but I know it's certainly an album where I would have to be in the right mood to appreciate it. However I definitely could see myself listening to it on a stormy night after the kids have gone to sleep I might put it into the computer and listen through headphones. Of course I would be looking over my shoulder frequently too.