Abysses

French black metal guitarist Wÿntër Ärvn has a neofolk side project, self-titled, that I'd never heard before. It's got a sophomore album out on Antiq Records, which specializes in the sort of minor-league black metal that this band finds itself in company with. Abysses is billed as being made in a more uplifting mood than its predecessor, and it's quite enjoyable, though like many neofolk albums it can fade into the background sometimes. Most of this album consists of clean acoustic guitar instrumentals, with strings and occasional female vocal backing. The drums are minimal and echoing, only used on occasion. The second member of the band, Vittorio Sabelli, plays clarinet to Ärvn's picking, which makes for an excellent combination. Beyond that, though, there's not much to say. All the acoustic work is pretty, especially the intro and intermission "Nocturnes", but after a while I found myself zoning out as I listened to the soft but rather undifferentiated noodling. The band does do a Xasthur cover (acoustic like the other tracks), which doesn't have the lethal combination of depression and menace that the original had but also makes for a pretty little melody. While not the best music to listen to if one's trying to keep focused and awake at night, Abysses is very easy on the ears. https://antiqofficial.bandcamp.com/album/w-nt-r-rv-abysses.