After a career of 10 years Winter is the fifth full length that Fen has released upon the world. They themselves claim that this album is a genuine anniversary record in which they return to their roots to celebrate what they have accomplished thus far. The first thing that catches the attention of the listener is that this is indeed more of a Black Metal album compared to their latest efforts. Yet it is still very atmospheric with a lot of Post-Rock influences. They have managed to maintain their own unique style yet Winter is a lot heavier than it’s predecessor Carrion Skies which was released in 2014.

The third song, simply called III, is composed of several riffs that immediately make you think of the typical double picking chords of the mid 1990’s. The fourth track then starts again with a typical dreamy, post-rock acoustic composition that has become a typical trademark for the band. The British trio has accomplished to combine the essence of their early days as well as their experience and evolution of the past decade in a single record. Something else that immediately catches the listeners attention is that the vocals of Frank “The Watcher” and Adam “Grungyn” Allain sound much fuller and richer than they did on their debut. It is very obvious that they have grown to be a lot more confident about themselves and their music since they started back in 2007, they have also grown as a bassist and guitarist duo, they play in a flawless and spot on harmony. Drummer Pete “Havenless” is only with the band for a little over a year but it is obvious that he is already very accustomed to be a part of the band and is a true and valuable asset to the band and the music alike. We haven’t heard or seen the last of this power trio combo and this means that we will surely hear more greatness by them in the future.

Just like the rest of their discography Winter seems to be telling a story throughout the whole of the recording. Where other records were symbolic for summer, autumn and spring, Winter tells the tale of a landscape that is barren and swallowed by a thick carpet of snow. What the next step will be in Fen’s career is still unsure, but what we can say is that Winter sounds like an immense rock that towers out of the wild sea as a monolith that is here to stay, this sounds very promising for the next decade. For the first time ever they also released a video of II (Penance) that can be watched here:

Release date: March 10 2017
Label: Code 666
Tracklist:
I (Pathway)
II (Penance)
III (Fear)
IV (Interment)
V (Death)
VI (Sight)