Texas-based act Krigsgrav were formed by David ‘Vortigern’ Sikora (not to be confused with Arizona’s Vortigern aka Rubeus), and the band nowadays also consists of some colleagues from other bands David is involved with (like Heimar, Valsgarde or Of Oak). After a demo and an EP (pretty raw and uncompromising back then), Krigsgrav did record and release two full lengths, The Leviathan Crown and Lux Capta Est, in 2010 and 2011 respectively. This album, The Carrion Fields, indeed is the third full length studio record, and it still deals with themes like the relationship in between humanity and nature, and the parallel in between life cycles and seasons. Each song refers to a season, representing / reflecting a specific stage in man’s life. Oh yes, the album will appear in a limited edition of 350 copies, amongst which 50 as hand-numbered digipack and 300 in a regular jewelcase.
The Carrion Fields lasts for fifty three minutes and opens with a short acoustic intro, Akitu, which also contains the singing of birds. Pretty disturbing, for this kind of joy is not what this album stands for! But as from Words Of Aeolus that’s clear. Words Of Aeolus, and the same goes for the other tracks, is a highly melodic piece, based on melodious, shoegazing tremolo leads, firm rhythms (bass lines, drum patterns and rhythm guitars are equally divided, yet each of them with a mostly important presence!), some faster outbursts, epic chords and soar, raw black-grunts. But there is so much repetition, and that goes for the other tracks too, and too little excitement. The long-stretched melodies define soberness, and the principles of cleanliness overrule the rawness, though introvert, we usually may enjoy within this specific sub-genre. Here is only little excitement to detect; too little is the presence of persuasion.
There are hints of Agalloch, Drudkh, October Falls or the Naturmacht-roster, but this isn’t the best album in its genre (or on this fantastic label’s roster) and, and that’s even more of importance, this album is not as strong and convincing as Krigsgrav’s former material, and unfortunately too superficial and inelaborate. That’s a sad ascertainment, and I hope it’s not the beginning of a trend…