Various Artists - Dark Folk Britannica CD

Translating from Old English as “The beginning very seldom matches the end”, this concluding edition of the Dark Britannica series seems a fitting subtitle at this time but is purely coincidental as the focus is that atmospheric music known as dark folk developed from freak folk, which here celebrates the land, nature and seasonal cycles. The style’s half-century history is partly seen in Cherry Red Records’ Dust On The Nettles or more recent Sumer Is Icumen In, an old English trend that is more pronounced here (the title is from Sir Gawain and the Green Knight). This new compilation features 21st-century musicians, some forsaking heavy metal amps to explore quieter tones and weightier words.

This is clear from the get-go of this 32-track double CD, with the augmented Manchester five-piece Winterfylleth. Deep-tone vocals backed by strummed guitar, strings and choral harmonies full of allegory, is a panoramic opening distant from their acclaimed black metal origins and closer to Third Ear Band. With seven albums since 2006, sporting different hats ‘n’ beards (presumably), Winter Full Moon (as their name translates) take an interesting path here. The current fashion for musical multi-tasking also adorns the fugue of Bismerch My Name by Sol-de-Muerte, its pagan drum and drone fluttered by flute cadences. Formed in 2010—inspired they say by Dead Can Dance, Current 93 and Nico—they focus on loss and love’s darker side. Two of the band also contribute the swirling magic of a layered pulse on Fine Lines. Finglebone from the west country evoke a workshop (without electricity of course, it’s not been found yet) or wood cabin with rain, steps, door opening, distant voices and bell chimes.