Style: neofolk, prog rock (clean vocals)
Recommended for fans of: Stream of Passion, Myrkur, Opeth, Forndom
Review by: Andy
Country: Belgium
Release date: 22 June 2023
Entering Polaris are back with their second album this year *checks watch*, about zero seconds after their first. Recklessly moving forward from the power/prog, Entering Polaris will not stick with that style on Atlantean Shores’ sister album, instead trying to be sort of like King Gizzard and the Lizard Wizard. This time they present a “fully acoustic; dark and atmospheric” album entitled And Silently the Age Did Pass, how does it stack up to the enjoyable–but not groundbreaking–Atlantean Shores?
The dark strings of the plaintive neofolk are rich and full, produced wonderfully. Balancing several string and vocal parts simultaneously, the listener never needs to strain to pick out every gorgeous detail. The relaxed vibe maintained across all of And Silently the Age Did Pass heavily relies on vibrant, full-bodied cellos, dancing acoustic guitars, and the slightly grittier sound of an electric bass, although Entering Polaris are just as happy to include piano, violin, various percussive elements (like bells and handclaps), and several accomplished vocalists, both male and female. My single biggest gripe with the album, however, is that except for the extended piano piece “Always a Moment Too Late,” Entering Polaris almost never deviate from a very similar pace which the acoustic guitars push forward with a rhythmic efficiency: This consistent pace–and mood–while super pretty, also doesn’t so easily allow for memorability.
In fact, I’d go so far as to say And Silently… is almost the ideal background music for a rainy day reading a book, occupying a similar niche in my rotation as Secludja or Forndom. The vocalists all provide a wonderful element to gravitate towards while participating in a focused listening, at least, especially when the group vocals–passing as choral backing–are used. “Projected Horizons” and “The Light at the Edge of the Earth” are neck-and-neck for my favorite performance on the album as both guests soothingly croon over the pretty little acoustic bits. However, the restrained songwriting doesn’t allow the singers to do much more than keep a simple tune, and many of the lines end up being sung in a very similar cadence–not unlike Max Enix–although Entering Polaris at least allow the vocalists some freedom to sing you what are basically lullabies.
My favorite track, the four part, title track finale, runs the gamut of techniques and tools that Entering Polaris have on the album. Starting with some legit soprano singing, the track quickly builds off a frankly stunning minimalist motif at the start of Part II. Had the album actually messed around with piano parts like this more, I think I’d be a lot more interested to use this as something intellectually stimulating instead of as something to help me drift off into a slumber. “…And Silently the Age Did Pass” certainly concludes the album with a good final impression at least.
Of course, any complaints will likely fall on deaf ears as Entering Polaris clearly wish to be a jack-of-all-trades and master of none. With a clear talent for songwriting, production, and guestlist hunting, I can’t blame ‘em, but I’d still love to hear an improved version of And Silently… at some point. However, I will move on, just as Entering Polaris will: See you at the next two albums!
Recommended tracks: Projected Horizons, The Light at the Edge of the Earth, …And Silently the Age Did Pass (especially Pt. II)
You may also like: Musk Ox, Secludja, John D. Reedy, Sisare, Iamthemorning, Mariana Semkina
Final verdict: 6/10
Related links: Bandcamp | Spotify | Official Website | YouTube | Facebook | Instagram | Metal-Archives Page
Label: Freya Records
Entering Polaris is:
– Tom Tas (guitars)
– Vincent Van Kerckhove (drums)
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