Here we are starting off 2022 with some grandiose progressive metal (with death metal elements). January 7th Wilderun released their 4th attempt at progressive metal with “Epigone”. I am not at all familiar with Wilderun; this is my first experience. Wilderun is a 4-piece, symphonic progressive metal band from Boston, Massachusetts.
Ambitious
Vocalist and guitarist Evan Anderson Berry introduces a dual vocal attack, clean and growl-y. The album is primarily sung in a clean vocal style, but spread sparingly throughout are progressive-death metal sections reminiscent of mid-era Opeth. The sound mix and overall production is pleasant to listen to with distorted passages, symphonic and operatic sections and soulful guitar solos. but this is where I run out of positives.
Woolgathering
The album opens with a relatively short acoustic piece then transitions to the second track, “Woolgatherer”. The song living up to the song title, aimlessly wandering for 14 minutes. Unfortunately the rest of the album continues this way, I find the album as a whole lacking in substance, I’m not sure what the album is trying to achieve. The songs move from one section to another without any clear direction, as if the songs were written in pieces then glued together with no attempt to make them feel like they belong together. I guess I’m not seeing the “progression” in Wilderun’s progressive metal.
Conclusion
Ultimately, “Epigone” takes you on a journey that goes nowhere. The progression is uninspired and the few moments that spike my interest, like “Passenger”, are too few. I am told that their previous album, “Veil Of Imagination” is a much stronger album. If your looking for this specific brand of progressive death metal, Anciients is one worth looking into.
-Eric Reeder 1/9/22
- For fans of Opeth and Devin Townsend and Cynic.
- Standout track – “Passenger”
…In Other News…
Go see Brian and Israel discuss albums due out this year. I’m stoked for Immolation “Act Of God”.
Hazel has a new review out now for Nervosa “Perpetual Chaos”.
Todd has a new review out now for Nuclear Assault “Pounder”.
I 100% agree with your comments here. I too saw this album getting lauded left, right, and center on many of the Best of 2021 lists. Both then and now, I don’t get it. I’m not opposed to noodlely proggy songs that take a long time to get from point A to point Z or whatever — as long as they actually do go somewhere in an interesting manner for me to want to tag along. Here, they may be on a magical journey, but I’d rather just get off at the next rest stop, thanks.