by Mark Anderson
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How in this world do you describe Holy Fawn’s sound? Doomgaze? Melancholy-melodic-ambient-black-metal? They’re self-described as “LOUD HEAVY PRETTY NOISES” and I feel that’s pretty apt. However you want to classify them, Holy Fawn is making some incredible music of late and their new EP, The Black Moon, is no exception.
Opening with the ethereal “Candy”, the wall of sound hits at about half a minute in. This is absolutely an album that’s meant to be listened to LOUD. Not just for the explosive waves of heavy noise that cover everything like a blanket, but for the tiny nuances of instrument that wrap the listener up in that same blanket, seemingly providing an unending peace. Such is the case with second track, “Tethered”. Acting as a pathway between the two heavy numbers, the ambient pulse of this instrumental song could be twice as long and still captivate, something that’s not very easy to do.
Closing with “Blood Pact”, that same pathway has now lead you to a moonlit field where you share the most intimate of experiences: “give me your eyes/ reach out your hand/ bleed in the moonlight/ cutting our palms / give me your eyes/ bring me your heart/ tell me you won’t stop/ until we arrive.” The track builds and builds until climaxing around the 5 and half minute mark, and then slowly releases you back to reality and the world around you. Even though just 3 songs clock in at 15 minutes, this EP is far too short. Holy Fawn’s fanbase has a growing hunger and we need satiation. However, as this a surprise EP, we should all rejoice at whatever new Holy Fawn we can get.
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Check out Holy Fawn on 2/24 when they open for Thrice along with mewithoutYou and Drug Church at the Marquee Theatre as part of Thrice’s Vheissu 15th Anniversary Tour. More info and tickets available through Luckyman.
