Arendia has walked a long path since their early days
in 2004, growing from a casual project into a steady presence in the UK
underground. Their story runs through various demos, the compilation “Wild
Woods”, the EP “Sanctuary Of The Moors”, the album “A Radial To The Sea”, and
even a return to their roots with the remastered “The Bamfurlong Sessions”.
“Hymns Of Ember And Ash” arrives after two years of silence, created entirely
by the band themselves, with the familiar trio of Ged
Brown, Mark Fishwick and Simon Brotherton taking on writing, performance
and production as a unified band.
The EP has Arendia’s blend of black metal harshness and
thrash energy, shaped in a way that suits their interest in folklore, ancient
stories and fantasy worlds. The lyrics pull the listener through history on
“The Tomb Of Semiramis” and “The Hollowing”, and into imagined realms on
“Blessings Of Akatosh” and “Holmwood”. The band keep things direct, guitars
move in firm strides, drums strike with steady force, vocals stay raw and
unpolished on purpose. The sound has a homemade edge, created by Mark’s production choices, which matches the
woodland and ritualistic imagery that has always followed the band.
“Hymns Of
Ember And Ash” presents Arendia as a band
secure in their path. It is not a dramatic shift from their past, more a
sharpening of their familiar traits, created by their own hands and delivered
without distractions. It works best as a focused burst of energy, a short trip
into Arendia’s world of fire, folklore and
dark forests. Anyone who has followed them so far will recognise their identity
instantly and newcomers will find a clear entry point into what the band
represent.
Score: 7.0
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