Words Of Farewell - The Black Wild Yonder (CD Review)

01.Continuum Shift
02.Telltale Notion
03.In Kingdoms Of Rain
04.Damaged Beyond Repair
05.Beauty In Passing
06.Outer Rim
07.Temporary Loss Of Reason
08.Antibiosis
09.Luminary Ghost
10.Riven

Alexander Otto (Vocals)
Erik Gabmus (Guitar)
Henrik Tschierschky (Guitar)
Konstantin Vobhoff (Bass)
Leo Wichmann (Keyboards)
Tristan Wegner (Drums)

German progressive/death metal style band formed in 2007.
Opening with 'Continuum Shift' we are treated to some quality modern prog sounds before it moves into more traditional death metal stylings.However the musicianship is top rate, the keyboards and melodic guitar work well with the gruff vocal.

This continues track after track, perfectly balanced between the 2 opposing genre's, what really catches my ear time and again is the keyboard work, far superior to anything in the traditional euro fare of 'Power Metal'.

The songs 'Outer Rim' and 'Riven' are some of the best here, with stunning keyboard work reminescent of 70's masters Tangerine Dream, the guitar work is perfect and every other element from ambient sounds to the drums is just faultless.

Rating : 9/10

For fans of: Dark Tranquillity, Insomnium, Scar Symmetry

Words Of farewell - Immersion (Cd Review)

01.Project Daybreak
02.Ever After
03.End Of Transmission
04.On Second Thought
05.Auriga
06.The Great Escape
07.Urban Panorama
08.Sorae
09.Vagrant Story
10.Sundown Serenade

Alexander Otto (Vocals)
Erik Gaßmus (Guitar)
Henrik Tschierschky (Guitar)
Nils Urginus (Bass)
Jonas Wübbe (Drums)
Leo Wichmann (Keyboards)

Initiated by lead guitarists Erik Gaßmus and Phillipp Olivier, the German Progressive Death Metal band WORDS OF FAREWELL was founded in early 2007. The line-up was then completed by Nils Urginus (rhythm guitar), Leo Wichmann (synthesizer), Benedikt Goralski
(drums) and Alexander Otto (vocals/bass guitar).
After four months of rehearsing, the 7 track EP "Ashes of the Coming Dawn" was recorded at Boombox Studios in Lünen and published in a quantity of 500 units.

Half a year after their formation, the band had a personal change at the drums in which Felix Greiff replaced Benedikt Goralski.
In the autumn of 2008 the band recorded the 4 track CD "From Now On..." for promotional purposes at Total Recall Studios in Herten. It was pressed in limited numbers to be sent out to record labels and venues, distributed at live concerts and additionally offered as fre download.
Furthermore, the second sampler of the "European Underground Extreme Metal Front" featured their track "In Fiction".
Then, in summer of 2009, Jonas Wübbe entered as the new drummer of the band.
Subsequently, the band´s live sound was slimmed down from 3 to 2 guitars.
From June to December 2010, the band entered Metallurgy Studios,
Mönchengladbach, where the debut album "Immersion" was produced.

In 2011 Phillipp Olivier left the band, Henrik Tschierschky (Harasai, Symbiontic) following as worthy successor.

In January 2012 WORDS OF FAREWELL signed with AFM Records.Their debut album “Immersion” will be released on March 30th.You can literally feel the countless hours of practising in the rehearsal room that forged this atmospheric album.

“Immersion” is a piece of work that displays a degree of class, yet at times it remains "pedestrian" in its execution, bordering on symphonic power metal as opposed to the prog/death tag they give themselves.

Rating: 7/10

For Fans Of: Dark Tranquillity, Scar Symmetry, Insomnium

STU