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Ancient Sorrow is the debut release, actually a MCD, of this new comer by the name of Fen, formed only in early 2006. Originally a musical project inspired by the bleak and esoteric landscapes of eastern England, Fen (low land covered wholly or partially with water) seems like a logical name. Don't expect something too folk-oriented though, since not much of this style is found besides a few acoustic breaks buried in the last track, Under the Endless Sky. Basically, Ancient Sorrow come in with a heavy sounding musical structure of black metal nature, slightly progressive in its tempo and time signature. Clean arpeggios (love it), distorted riffs, raspy vocals, sometimes leaning more toward a whispered sort of grunt and discrete atmospheric keyboard passages following the pace of a kicking bass/drum duo. The heaviness mentioned comes from these last two elements, especially noticeable in the over-prominent bass drum sound. Of the three tracks, I personally enjoyed The Gales Scream of Loss and Under Endless Sky.

Although generally pleasant, something is missing in their music. Perhaps Fen has not totally found their style and sound yet. I guess we'll have to wait and see what the future will bring for this young act.