Gwynbleidd - Amaranthine

What is Gwynbleidd doing in Brooklyn??? From the sound of its debut, Amaranthine, it should be in Europe, playing metal festivals and the occasional medieval faire. Its rolling tempos recall Agalloch, its death growls suggest Opeth, its acoustic guitars and sonorous singing bring to mind Borknagar. Thus, folk, death, black, and prog metal all enter the mix, with the result simply and best called “metal.”

Four songs total 40 minutes – basically, an album. However, the band says that what separates this EP from a proper release is lack of conceptual unity. With no printed lyrics, this is impossible to judge. However, the songs themselves are unified microcosms. They flow smoothly and feel epic, yet shorter than their lengths. The songwriting is rich, subtle, and melodic; however, like the slightly rough but beautifully natural production, it’s a work in progress.

“The Awakening” hits the highest peak, with a goosebump-inducing breakdown and buildup near its end. Gwynbleidd attains greatness here; elsewhere, it’s merely “damn good”. Perhaps on its forthcoming full-length, the band will fulfill this promise. In the meantime, you can order this EP from its MySpace or The End.