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Review: Dark Forest - Oak, Ash & Thorn
Dark Forest
www.facebook.com/Darkforestuk
Oak, Ash & Thorn

Label: Cruz Del Sur Music
Year released: 2020
Duration: 52:45
Tracks: 9
Genre: Heavy Metal

Rating:
4.5/5


Review online: April 23, 2020
Reviewed by: Sargon the Terrible
Readers' Rating
How do you rate this release?

Rated 4.33/5 (86.67%) (9 Votes)
Review

I lost track of Dark Forest there, because while I really liked their breakthrough Dawn of Infinity, they then produced the less-good The Awakening with their new singer, and so I missed their last one, 2016's Beyond the Veil. So a new promo from this band was a chance to look in and see how they are doing. I am glad to see that they have really put it all together and made what is probably their best work so far.

Part of the band's problem has been that they were better riff writers than songwriters, but this time they have cranked out a whole disc of consistently engaging, catchy, well-crafted songs that really evoke that classic Maiden/NWOBHM sound. The guitar playing, both on riffs and leads, is just killer from end to end, and this album is really solid all the way through.

Singer Josh Winnard has really stepped up his game. He's still not an A-list vocalist, but he has improved his tone, his phrasing, and his range, all while developing a much more confident sound and style that goes a long way to sell these songs. It certainly doesn't hurt that he has such great material to work with. This album is the sound of the band really coming together and firing on all cylinders, and it is just a pleasure to listen to all the way.

More about Dark Forest...
Review: Beyond the Veil (reviewed by MetalMike)
Review: Dark Forest (reviewed by Pagan Shadow)
Review: Dawn of Infinity (reviewed by MetalMike)
Review: Dawn of Infinity (reviewed by Sargon the Terrible)
Review: Oak, Ash & Thorn (reviewed by MetalMike)
Review: Ridge & Furrow (reviewed by MetalMike)
Review: Ridge & Furrow (reviewed by Sargon the Terrible)
Review: The Awakening (reviewed by MetalMike)
Review: The Awakening (reviewed by Sargon the Terrible)
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