Evergreen Refuge/Reflection/Resolution/Fiadh Productions/2024 Double Album Re-Issue Review

 

  This  is  a  review  of  a  double  album  from  Colorado's  solo  project  Evergreen  Refuge  which  was  originally  released  in  2019  and  called  "Reflection/Resolution"  which  showed  the  music  moving  away  from  the  atmospheric  style  of  post  black  metal  from  previous  releases  and  going  for  a  neo-folk  direction  and  will  be  re-issued  in  March,  2024  by  Fiadh  Productions.

 

 Acoustic  guitars  start  off  the  album  while  also  bringing  in  elements  of  folk  music  along  with  a  good  mixture  of  finger  picking  and  full  chords.  Both  of  the  tracks  are  also  over  50  or  more  minutes  in  length  and  after  a  few  minutes  of  repetitive  playing  percussion  is  added  onto  the  recording  adding  more  variety  to  the  music.

  Glockenspiel  and  harmonium  can  also  be  heard  in  certain  sections  of  the  recording  while  drones  are  also  utilized  briefly.  All  of  the  music  also  sticks  to  an  instrumental  along  with  the  second  track  also  bringing  in  a  different  style  that  was  present  on  the  first  song  and  the  whole  album  also  avoids  any  metal  influence,  ambient  style  synths  can  also  be  heard  towards  the  end.  

  On  this  recording  Evergreen  Refuge  moved  away  from  the  atmospheric  post  black  metal  style  of  earlier  releases  and  focused  more  on  an  acoustic  neo-folk  as  well  as  keeping  everything  instrumental  while  the  production  sounds  very  dark.

  In  my  opinion  this  is  another  great  sounding  recording  from  Evergreen  Refuge  and  if  you  are  a  fan  of  neo-folk,  you  should  check  out  this  re-issue.  RECOMMENDED  TRACK  "Resolution".  8  out  of  10.

  Evergreen Refuge   

Evergreen Refuge/Skyward/A Moment Of Clarity Records/2019 Full length Review

  Colorado's  solo  project  Evergreen  Refuge  has  returned  with  a  new  recording  which  shows  the  music  going  into  an  instrumental  mixture  of  ambient,  atmospheric  black  metal,  folk  and  post  rock  and  this  is  a  review  of  his  2019  album  "Skyward"  which  will  be  released  on  March  2oth  by  A  Moment  Of  Clarity  Records.

  Ambient style  synths  and  drones  start  off  the  track  which  is  also  67  minutes  in  length  along  with  a  variety  of  many  different  sounding  keys.  Tin  whistle's  and  tribal  sounding  percussion  can  also  be  heard  briefly and  after  12  minutes  in  the  song  acoustic  guitars  are  brought  into  the  music  and  they  also  bring  in  elements  of  folk  music.

  A  great  amount  of  melody  can  also  be  heard  in  some  of  the  heavier  riffing  while  the  faster  sections  of  the  music  also  bring  in  a  great  amount  of  tremolo  picking  and  programmed  blast  beats  which  also  gives  the  song  more  of  a  raw  feeling  and  the  track  also  adds  in  a  decent  mixture  of  slow,  mid  paced  and  fast  parts.

  The  ambient  elements  that  are  present  at  the  beginning  also  have  a  very  dominating  presence  throughout  the  recording  while  the  song  also  adds  in  a  great  amount  of  diversity.  Clean  playing  is  also  brought  into  the  track  briefly  and  also  gives  the  song  more  of  a  depressive  atmosphere  along  with  a  brief  use  of  throat  singing  and  melodic  chants and  the  production  sounds  very  dark.

  In  my  opinion  this  is  another  great  sounding  recording  from  Evergreen  Refuge  and  if  you  are  a  fan  of  ambient,  atmospheric  black  metal,  folk  and  post  rock,  you  should  check  out  this  album.  8  out  of  10.

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Evergreen Refuge Interview

 1. Can you tell us a little bit about the project for those that have never heard of you before?
1. Evergreen Refuge is an instrumental folk, metal, and ambient project born to express feelings I have had in nature.

2. How would you describe your musical sound?
2. Folk and post-rock influenced black metal. 

3.What are some of the concepts and images you bring out with  your music?
3. The concepts for each album vary, for the most part. I'd rather not give away the meanings that they have to me personally, as to leave the music abstract for the listeners. However, what I can say is that the first three albums of mine are much more based on the spirituality and solitude of being in nature whereas the newer stuff is coming at it from much more of a desperate angle. Hopefully the listeners will understand...

4.So far all of the released material has been instrumental, do you plan on using vocals in the future?
4. It's hard to say. I have recorded bits of vocals in the past, but they haven't turned out the way I wanted. So it is possible, but it depends on the release.

5.What is the meaning and inspiration behind the bands name?
5. The name "Evergreen Refuge" came about while I was backpacking. It partly comes from the idea that nature, currently, is a refuge from the self-destructive civilization that we have constructed. It also comes from the feeling that I had that nature is my home. 
"Going to the mountains is going home." -John Muir

6.Currently there is only 1 member in the band, are you planning on expanding the line up in the future or do you choose to remain solo?
6. There are no plans, currently, of collaboration under the name of "Evergreen Refuge." Evergreen Refuge is based on my own personal feelings and thoughts and I feel that those would be lost in collaboration. However, I would be open to collaboration under another name, as long as the other people share the same vision as I do. 

7.Recently you have released a split album with Deafest, what are your thoughts on the other band that participated?
7. Deafest is a great band also from Colorado, as well as a friend of mine. We share many of the same thoughts with regards to nature. It was great working alongside him. 

8.On a worldwide level how has the feedback been to your music by fans of black metal?
8. My music has spread to a few places in the world. Based on my CD sales, I have had folks in Europe, Japan, and Russia buy my CD. 

9.Are you involved with any other musical projects?
9. Yes, I am involved in a solo ambient project. 

10. What direction do you see your music heading into on future releases?
10. It's hard to say what direction I will be heading in. My music seems to guide me, I don't guide it. However, I will say that the next full-length that I am currently immersed in is partly folk-based but much more heavy. 

11.What are some bands or musical styles that have influenced your music and also what are you listening to nowadays?
11. Ambient music has influenced my music quite a bit. I've listened to ambient for a long time now and I always appreciated the musicians' approach to creating music. I have also been influenced by folk music, particularly those from Cascadia, as well as post-rock and post-metal, particularly Godspeed You! Black Emperor. Nowadays, I have been listening to a few folk-punk bands such as Blackbird Raum as well as hardcore punk. I've also been listening to a bit of ambient music, such as Steve Roach and Liquid Mind. 

12.Outside of music what are some of your interests?
12. Outside of music, I am interested in hiking and backpacking, as well as reading and growing food, among many others.  

13.Any final words or thoughts before we wrap up this interview? 
13. Thanks for your time and thanks to all that listen to my music, I really appreciate it. 

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Deafest/Evergreen Refuge/Grey Rock, Red Earth/Red River Family Tapes/2013 Split Cassette Review

  This  is  a  review  of  a  split  album  between  Colorado's  Deafest  and  Evergreen  Refuge  called  "Grey Rock,  Red  Earth"  which  was  released  by  Red  River  Family  Tapes  in  2013  and  we  will  of  the  review  with  Deafest  a  band  that h as  been  featured  before  in  this  zine  with  their  musical  style  being  an  instrumental  form  of  atmospheric  black  metal.

  Drums  range  from  slow,  mid  paced  to  fast  playing  with  some  blast  beats  being  utilized  at  times,  while  the  bass  playing  has  a  very  dark  tone  with  riffs  that  follow  the  riffing  that  are  coming  out  of the  guitars  and  at  times  they  have  a  very  powerful  sound  to  them.

  Rhythm  guitars  range  from  slow,  mid  paced  to  fast  atmospheric  black  metal  riffs  that  utilize  some r aw  and  primitive  elements  as  well  as  melody  and  clean  playing,  while  the  lead  guitars  are  very  atmospheric  and  melodic  post  black  metal  guitar  solos  and  leads,  as  for t he  acoustic  guitars  they  use  finger  picking  and  full  chords  to  enhance  the  post  rock  elements  present  on  their  side  o f the  split.

  Vocals  and  song  writing  are  absent  from  this  recording  with t he  music  being  all  instrumental,  while  the  song  themes  cover  Nature  and  The  Rocky  Mountains,  as  for  the  production  it  has  a  very  dark, r aw  and  primitive  sound  with  most  of t he  songs  being  long  and  epic  in  length.

  In  my  opinion  this  is  another  great  sounding  recording  from  Deafest  and  if  you  are  a  fan  of  this  band,  you  should  check  out  their  side  of  the  split.  RECOMMENDED  TRACK  "Rising  From  The  Ridgeline".  RECOMMENDED.

  Next  up  is  Evergreen  Refuge  with  their  musical  style  this  time  being  instrumental,  atmospheric,  post  black  metal.

  Drums  range  from  slow,  mid  paced  to  fast  drumming  with  some  blast  beats  being  utilized  at  times,  while  the  bass  playing  has  a  very  dark  tone  with  riffs  that  follow  the  riffing  that  are  coming  out  of  the  guitars.

  Rhythm  guitars  range  from  slow,  mid  paced  to  fast  atmospheric  black  metal  riffs  that  are  very  raw  and  primitive  sounding  at  times  along  with  some  melody  being  thrown  into  the  riffing  at  times,  while  the  lead  guitars  are  very  melodic  sounding  post  black  metal  guitar  solos  and  leads,  as  for  the  acoustic  guitars  they  use  finger  picking  and  full  chords  to  add  folk  music  elements  to  their  side  of  the  split.

  Vocals  and  song  writing  are  all  absent  from  their  side  of  the  recording  with  the  music  being  all  instrumental,  while  the  song  themes  cover  Nature  and  The  Rocky  Mountains,  as  for  the  production  it  has  a  very  dark  raw  and  primitive  sound  with  most  of  the  songs  being  long  and  epic  in  length.

  In  my  opinion  this  is  another  great  sounding  recording  from  Evergreen  Refuge  with  the  best  music  on  this  album  and  if  you  are  a  fan  of  instrumental,  atmospheric,  post  black  metal,  you should  check  out  their  side  of  the  split.  RECOMMENDED  TRACK  "Taking  Refuge  Among  River  Valleys".  RECOMMENDED.

  In  conclusion  I  feel t his  is  a  very  great  sounding  split  and  if  you  are  a  fan  of  instrumental  and  atmospheric,  post  rock  metal,  you  should  add  this  album  to  your  collection.  RECOMMENDED  BUY.

https://www.metal-archives.com/bands/Deafest/3540260272
https://www.metal-archives.com/bands/Evergreen_Refuge/3540361062

  

Evergreen Refuge/Weminuchia/Red River Family Records/2013 CD Review

  This  is  a  review  of  another  recording  from  Evergreen  Refuge  which  continues  their  instrumental  hybrid  of  atmospheric  black  metal,  ambient,  post  rock  and  folk  with  the  album  being  called  "Weminuchia"  and  released  by  Red  River  Family  Records.

  Drum  programming  ranges  from  slow,  mid  paced  to  fast  beats,  while  the  synths  which  are  only  used  briefly bring  elements  of  ambient  to  the  album,  as  for  the  bass  playing  it  has  a  very  dark  tone  with  riffs  that  follow  the  riffing  that  are  coming out  of  the  guitars.

  Rhythm  guitars  range  from  slow,  mid  paced  to  fast  atmospheric  black  metal  riffs  that  are  very  raw  and  primitive  sounding  along  with  some  post  rock  elements  and  melody  being  thrown  into  the  riffing  as  well  as  some  soft  and  clean  playing  and  there a re  no  guitar  solos  or  leads  present  on  this  recording,  as  for  the  acoustic  guitars  they  use  finger  picking  and  full  chords  to  bring  the  folk  music  elements  to  the  album.

  Vocals  and  songwriting  are  mostly  absent  from  this  recording  with  the  music  being  all  instrumental  except  for  some  chanting  being  utilized  on  the  last  song,  while  the  song  themes  cover  nature  and  wildlife  with  the  songs  being  divided  into  a  3  part  concept,  as  for t he  production  it  has  a  very  raw  and  primitive  sound  with  the  songs  being  very  long  and  epic  in  length.

  In  my  opinion  this  is  another  great  sounding recording  from  Evergreen  Refuge  and  if  you  are  a  fan  of  instrumental,  atmospheric,  post  black  metal  with  elements  of  folk,  you  should  check  out  this  album.  RECOMMENDED  TRACK  ''Wildness".  RECOMMENDED  BUY.

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Evergreen Refuge/Immersed/2012 Cassette Review

  This  is  another  review  of  a  recording  from  Evergreen  Refuge  which  continues  their  instrumental  hybrid  sound  of  atmospheric  black  metal,  ambient,  post  rock  and  folk  with  the  cassette  being  self  released  in  2012  and  called  "Immersed".

  Drum  programming  ranges  from  slow, mid  paced  to  fast  beats  which  are  almost  as  powerful  as  a  real drum  kit,  while  the  bass  playing  has  a  very  dark  tone  with  riffs  that  follow  the  riffing  that  are  coming  out  of  the  guitars.

  Rhythm  guitars  range  from  slow,  mid  paced  to  fast  atmospheric  black  metal  riffs  that  utilize  some  raw  and  primitive  sounding  elements  at  times  along  with  some  influences  from  doom,  ambient  and  post  rock  to  create  a  sound  of  their  own  as  well  as  some  melody  and  soft  and  clean  playing,  while  the  lead  guitars  are  very  melodic  sounding  black  metal  guitar  solos  and  leads,  as  for  the  acoustic  guitars  they  use  finger  picking  and  full  chords  to  bring  the  folk  music  elements  to  the  album.

  Vocals  and  song  writing  are  all  absent  from  this  recording  with  the  music  being  all  instrumental,  while  the  song  themes  cover  life,  death  and  nature,  as  for  the  production  it  has  a  very  dark,  raw  and  primitive  sound  with  the  songs  being  very  long  and  epic  in  length.

  In  my  opinion  this  is  another  great  recording  from  Evergreen  Refuge  and  if  you  are  a  fan  of  instrumental,  atmospheric  black  metal  with  elements  of  post  rock  and  ambient,  you  should  check  out  this  cassette.  RECOMMENDED  TRACKS  INCLUDE "The  Fall  Of  Night/The  Rise  Of  Day"  and  "Immersed/Contemplation/At  Peace".  RECOMMENDED  BUY.

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Evergreen Refuge/Self Titled/2012 Full Length Review

  Evergreen  Refuge  are  a  1  man  band  from  Colorado  that  plays  a  very  instrumental  form  of  black  metal  with  elements  and  folk,  ambient  and  post  rock  and  this  is  a  review  of  their  self  titled  and  self  released  2012  album.

  Drum  programming  ranges  from  slow  to  mid  paced  beats,  while  the  bass  playing  has  a  very  dark  tone  with  riffs  that  follow  the  riffing  that  are  coming  out  of  the  guitars,  as  for  the  synths  which  are  only  utilized  briefly  bring  a  very  dark  and  atmospheric  sound  to  the  music.  

  Rhythm  guitars  range  from  slow,  to  mid  paced  riffs  that  combine  atmospheric  black  metal,  ambient  and  post  rock  together  to  create  a  sound  of t heir  own  with  some  melody  being  thrown  into  the  music,  while  the  lead  guitars   are  very  melodic  sounding  atmospheric  black  metal/post  rock  guitar  solos  and  leads, as  for t he  acoustic  guitars  they  use  finger  picking  and  full  chords  to  bring  the  folk  music  elements  to t he  album.

  Vocals  and  song  writing  are  all  absent  from  the  recording  with  the  music  being  instrumental,  while  the  song  themes  cover  Nature,  Solitude,  and  Darkness,  as  for  the  production  it  has  a  very  dark,  raw  and  primitive  sound  with  the  songs  being  very  long  and  epic  in  length.

  In  my  opinion  Evergreen  Refuge  are  a  very  great  sounding  instrumental  hybrid  of  atmospheric  black  metal,  ambient,  post  rock  and folk  and  if  you  are  a  fan  of  this  musical  genre,  you  should  check  out  this  band.  RECOMMENDED  TRACKS  INCLUDE  "Home  Finally"  and  "Removal,  Solitude,  Happiness".  RECOMMENDED  BUY.

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