Back on the black metal saddle with another underground artist. This time I’m bringing you Faidra, a one-man atmospheric project from Sweden. Although it is confirmed that the individual behind Faidra has performed with various groups since the 90’s, their identity has been kept a secret. I commend this decision. Many like to judge an artist based on the individuals involved rather than the art itself. Sometimes we do subconsciously. So to hide your identity as a black metal artist with proclaimed Orthodox influences is a great idea in case your person could affect listeners’ outlooks on the music.

Six Voices Inside is the debut record from Faidra, and many will immediately notice the Nordic influences. The more obvious comparison can be made to Burzum – specifically Filosofem. Rough lo-fi production that fuses the instruments into one solid wall of sound. Droning guitars pulled straight from the bottom of hell. Dreamy synths adding a dank yet redolent ambience to the tracks. At first I almost decided that Six Voices Inside was just a decent rehash of another record globally recognized as important to the genre. After digesting the record further, more traits began to shine that separates it from the “copy” label and makes it more of a nod to the black metal legend. Six Voices Inside sees Faidra refurbishing the sound of Burzum.

The production is still raw and cavernous, but has a faint modern feel to it. Guitar tones are brighter and ever-so-slightly clearer. What sets it apart is the doomier execution in the riffs. Rather than technical shredding and wild riffs coasting through the ambience, the guitars on Faidra are slow and brooding with a feeling of despondency. Tying the guitars together for a true atmospheric landscape are the percussion and the synth. “The Depths” makes great work of each element with brighter currents intertwined with nasty, decrepit descending guitars. Accompanying are cymbals crashing every eighth note and luscious synths that accent the end of riffs every two measures. “The Judas Cradle” and “Six Voices Inside” stand out with their drum rolls acting as refreshing moments where the drumming steps away from their creeping nature.

The opener “A Pact Amongst Wolves” is my personal favorite track with how diverse the guitars are. They set the grieving atmosphere exceptionally with anthemic tones that echo across the guitars. It grips my attention with its excellence and provides a gateway into the more minimalist soundscapes to come. The record has a great flow to it making it a listen that is worthy of being digested as one cohesive mosaic of sounds. I will admit there are moments where the atmosphere lingers for too long, specifically “Obsequies”. As an overall piece though, Six Voices Inside is an interesting record with its modern rendition of Burzum’s signature sound. Plus the doom metal aesthetic sets it apart enough to have its own sorrowful identity. Faidra shows how a metal act can properly grab old ideas and revitalize them into something enthralling. This is no Filosofem (what is?), but is definitely worth the listen if you are looking for gloomy black metal that encapsulates the bold darkness of doom metal and the infernal aggression of black metal.

Favorite Tracks: “A Pact Amongst Wolves”; “The Depths”; “Tomb of Giants”; “Six Voices Inside”

Rating: 8/10

Released: 02/21/2020

Label: Northern Silence Productions

Genres: Atmospheric Black Metal, Doom Metal

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RATING SCALE

Perfect Excellent Great Very Good Good Meh Disappointing Bad Horrible Pitiful Bottom of the Barrel