Nhor

Nhor is a multitalented artist coming from the UK. Except for his same named band, he has also written a couple of books, filmed a short-video and is involved in photography and artwork. Everything so far is self released in hand made packages with very beautiful artwork (both cds and tapes). I don't know when Nhor begun, but his first work with this name (both music or book) was released in 2009. It was an ambient / acoustic untitled album with classical piano parts. His second EP “Upon Which Was Written Within the Stars” is again an ambient work inspired by the moon and the stars and was released in 2010. The same year he contributed a song to a great compilation "Whom the Moon a Nightsong Sings" by Prophecy Records, something that I see as a recognition to his music. His third work “Whisperers to This Archaic Growth” is just released, even if it contains material composed in 2009.

This new album is completely different from its predecessors, since it's actually in another genre. His music has a much darker approach, offering us a very good black metal album with a few doom and ambient touches. I expected to listen to a more raw and underground sound and I have to admit I was pleasantly surprised by the production! There are totally 4 songs in the album and they last for a little more than 31 minutes. The music is mainly in mid-tempo rhythm, with both heavy down-tempo riffing and faster more aggressive parts, all under a melancholic, pagan mood. A few synths here and there enrich the sound, adding some more melodic touch in the album. There are also ambient passages and intros / outros in the songs similar to the style of the debut album, helping the music to sound more diverse, while the contradiction with the black metal outbursts makes it even more emotional. The vocals are entirely black metal growls; at least when he sings the lyrics, since there are also a few clean ones in the background, more like a choir. I can't pick any song; they are all of equal quality and similar style, but the overall result of “Whisperers to This Archaic Growth” is quite satisfying. Like in all of his works, Nhor uses a lot of symbolism in his art. This album is dealing in general with the animal instinct in man, but unfortunately the lyrics are not in the CD.

If you are interested in finding more about this band and Nhor's art in general, you better visit his official site or his myspace. If you are interested in buying a physical copy of this album, you should do it directly through here, since all releases are very limited. The previous ones are already sold out. The album comes in a four panel digipak, with beautiful artwork illustrated by the mighty Sin Eater and it also contains a riddle inside to solve. I'm really enjoying this release, you should too.

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