ALBUM REVIEW: Metamorphoses – Marrowfields

It is with a soft, acoustic guitar-like feel that MARROWFIELDS begin their debut full length. Metamorphoses, inspired by Ovid’s lore of the same name, is an ambitious debut. One which, at times, sounds exactly like a band beginning to find their feet, but is nevertheless essential listening. 

Metamorphosis consists of only five tracks, with an average run time of ten minutes each. The songs in turn describe violent acts of creation and demise, punishment, over-indulgence, transformation and the passing of seasons in a sombre and atmospheric tone which is simultaneously beautiful and terrifying. However, when you have songs this long, the construction and ordering of each track becomes paramount, something which this band nails, but not consistently. 

For example, the vocals in opening track The Flood seem to come in pretty near the beginning, leaving the listener wondering where we are going to be taken to next. This miss in the pacing means that the explosive climax of the song does not pay off in the way intended – all the elements have already been there the whole time. Nevertheless, it’s an intriguing opening with some really impressive vocals from Ken Gillis, who places somewhere between MASTODON‘s Troy Sanders and CLUTCH‘s Neil Fallon, but with added anguish.

This is rectified in later tracks, however. The narrative to Metamorphosis seems clearer (aside from some incredibly corny rhymes –  transformations and constellations seems a little obvious), something which was clearly in the band’s mission statement for an album based on folklore. This song works perfectly in accordance with this – atmospheric chords and brutal yet heartfelt vocals pitched against a constant black metal-inspired drum groove makes this song the most gut-wrenching burst of emotion on the album. Juxtaposing the breakdown, this song also sees the band working really well with their softer side. They have a certain tenderness in the quieter moments, which are, of course, still brutal as hell. It pays to spend more time here so that when you reach the explosive sections, they have been earned. This is perfectly carried off in this song, by far the album standout. 

Closer Dragged to the World Below finally provides the breakdown it seems like we have spent the entire album waiting for. Again, dynamics are handled really well during this track. There is lots of building and removing of layers to create a truly interesting and brutal song, yet one which remains atmospheric & ethereal throughout, even at the moments when it blasts your face off. 

MARROWFIELDS have put out a debut album with only 132 monthly listeners on Spotify. It’s a brave move, and one which mostly, but not always, pays off. Metamorphosis sounds like a really good foundation for a band finding their feet. There are some excellent ideas here, and whilst this album is by no means perfect, it’s a solid debut and listeners should be excited to see what they do next.

Rating: 8/10

Metamorphosis is set for release April 24th via Black Lion Records. 

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