E.P. Review: Archierophant - Birds Of Joy And Sorrow
Reviewed by Paul Hutchings
There’s something familiar yet totally fresh about the second E.P. from Archierophant. 23 minutes of atmospheric blackness that serenades and assaults the senses in equal measure.
A project of musician Lewis Borthwick (part of Grimorte), the E.P. tells Salvic tales of the saga of good and evil of two mythological birds, Alkonost and Sirin. An E.P. that balances crashing black metal with delicate emotive segments, Birds of Joy and Sorrow strikes deep into the emotional well. Elements of the symphonic style of Norwegian giants Dimmu Borgir do come to mind, but there is no plagiarism here.
‘Birds of Joy and Sorrow’ opens with the stirring ‘Alkonost’, which unleashes wave after wave of crashing riffing and strangulated screams, suddenly changes tempo before returning the maelstrom which directs Borthwick to the finale. The blend of music is captivating. ‘I Do Wander’ incorporates a lone, melancholic piano which expands into a majestic, funereal style parade, the guttural roars of Oenos vocalist Sami Tuohino contrast with the gentle backdrop, the blast beats and shimmering riffs buried deep but essential to the overall composition.
After the intensity of the first two tracks, the final duo is simply gorgeous. Wave after wave of deliciously crafted soundscapes submerge you into another realm. Gentle keyboards and the subtle vocals of Ffion Ellis envelope with emotion. Its spine shivering and absolutely delicious, with closing track ‘Sirin’s Last Hope’ particularly poignant.
It’s a masterful E.P. from one of the UK’s many up-and-coming talents, and another demonstration of the quality that Borthwick has delivered in all of his music.
