Bindrune Recordings: Woodland Denizens unite!

Teeth of the Divine (E. Thomas)
Released the same time as the killer debut from label mates Obsiquiae, the third album from Maine's Falls of Rauros was a bit overshadowed, which is a shame as it adds yet another quality album to the genre of woodsy, misty, organic black metal or 'grey' metal as I like to call it.

The cover alone should clue most listeners in what to expect here and those expecting nods to Agalloch will be satisfied as Falls of Rauros have a distinctly Pacific Northwestern feel despite hailing from Maine. Rangy songs of introspective black –ish metal full of atmospheric acoustics, delicate, damp moods, distant rasps and the occasional brittle black metal injection. As well as the expected Agalloch hues, I also (in part to the distant shrieks) get a bit of a HEart of the Ages era In the Woods, but don't take it as a sheer comparison, just the woodsy, rustic feel of the music.

After the requisite atmospheric intro "Earth's Old Timid Grace" the band launch straight into the albums best track, the 11+ minute "Banished" which wanders with a restrained but elegant pace, like a walk on the woods in Autumn. Foliage crunches underfoot and damp mists swirl around your feet. It's all very ambient, to the point where you might need a parka to listen to it and you'll start smell wet wood and dew. The acoustic start of "Awaiting the Fire or Flood That Awakes It" saunters into view next with a pleasant folky tone before segueing into a nice lengthy, moody, melodic stroll that become a more urgent jog and epic closure, showing Falls of Rauros do have a few teeth to bear.

However, with the opening 25 minutes of the album being of such a high, mesmerizing standard, the second half of the album (its only 6 songs) tends to be a bit average; you've got the acoustic interlude "Nonesuch River Chant", surprisingly stern but somber "Silence" and instrumental closer "The Cormorants Shiver on the Rocks" (how's that for natural?). All certainly continuing the overall flow and organic quality of the style, but partly due to two of the last tracks being instrumental, lacks the wow factor of the albums early stages.
Still though, while not a album of the year contender like Obsiquiae or Fen's Epoch, Falls of Rauros has still released a fine album fitting of Bindrune's excellent niche of rustic, organic and atmospheric black metal.

Sputnik Music (Kyle Ward)
It humbles me to hear how Portland, Maine's Falls of Rauros have developed since their previous LP Hail Wind and Hewn Oak. It humbles me not only because I have been a resident of northern New England all of my life and always thought the region to be friendly to (yet somehow devoid of) black metal aesthetics, but because it is always a pleasure to hear a band's concept come into fruition right before you. The Light that Dwells in Rotten Wood is just that kind of album – one that shows a band taking criticism with intent to silence those who have spoken out against them in the past. The album is a tighter, focused and more concentrated piece of atmospheric black metal, taking folky acoustic guitars and sliding them with grace between the intensity of the album's heavier passages in much the same way as their stylistic counterparts across the country in the Cascades. Don't make the mistake of bulking the likes of Falls of Rauros amongst more well-known acts like Agalloch or Wolves in the Throne Room, because there is something more grounded here that is easier to connect with on a basic level. The Light that Dwells in Rotten Wood is extremely accessible, yes, but that does not mean there is little here to savor for those who have been around the block, so to speak, with the genre.

Comparatively, everything Falls of Rauros have done here exceeds their previous releases. The production is clear and audible, allowing the bass to be felt and the acoustic passages to be warm and sorrowful. The clear division between melody and intensity found previously on Into the Archaic or Hail Wind and Hewn Oak is fused together here in a way that makes transitions between the two flowing and smooth; indeed each element is absolutely critical to the success of the record as a whole. Had the melodies and harmonies of the acoustic and electric guitar been kept distant from the heavy chords or the crashing drums of guest drummer Austin Lundr of Panopticon fame, the album would be a heartless, atmosphere-devoid shell that could easily be swept under the rug and forgotten. Falls of Rauros, though, have the songwriting talent to keep this from happening by allowing things to be varied. Not varied in a sort of trivial way that pits lackluster acoustic chords against tireless tremolo riffs for 45 minutes, but varied in a more colorful sense. Even the intensity of "Banished", the heaviest track on the album, is scarred with an incredible, harmonious guitar solo and instrumental dismantling that leaves the pace collapsed before it slowly begins to lift itself up again. Almost before you know it, the outro "The Cormorants Shiver On Their Rocks" is easing you out the door in a radiant instrumental. That's the kind of album this is.

The Light that Dwells in Rotten Wood is simply a beautiful album, there are no two ways about it. Its pacing is flawless and its length is just right at a tidy 44 minutes. The vocals, placed a tad high in the mix, remain as high-pitched wails throughout almost the entire album, but don't become tiresome due to their quality. Its only bane is its lack of originality – this style has been done more times than I care to count. However, sometimes refining a sound you play well to a knife-edge can lead to great things, and that is what I will take out of this album. It lacks pretenses and isn't trying to be something it's not, and to its benefit the album emerges above its genre contemporaries for this specific reason. Falls of Rauros could still develop their sound further to make it more uniquely their own, but The Light that Dwells in Rotten Wood is as perfect a stepping stone as you could ask for to follow this path. Purists will hate it, undoubtedly, but the style and aura coupled with the execution will keep me coming back to The Light that Dwells in Rotten Wood for quite a while. And that, really, is the only test that has merit down the road. 4.0/5.0

Don't Count on it Reviews (Maskofgojira)
t seems odd to me that I've had the last two Falls of Rauros albums for about a year or two now and have only started to actually get into them. Through both hearing good things about this album from friends and just getting an interest in folk music made me return to the band again, with a new perspective of sorts on them. I've only heard good things about this record, making me more interested in it than I probably would have been otherwise.

If you're anything like me, and a couple hundred others, and think that black metal mixed with folk music is a fusion that's been done to death, than this is just the album to listened to. Much like Agalloch, Falls of Rauros do the black metal mixed with folk music well enough and in a unique enough way to stand out from the dozens of other groups that attempt to do a similar thing. The fusion of such leads to a sound that is melodic, often quite dark, and in certain cases, epic sounding; all of which can be found on here. While I've had my own personal complaints about the band's older work, mainly in terms of production, I feel that everything has come together on here to create a very spacious and natural sound.

While I can't say this album is as welcome to me as Agalloch, mainly because I've been an Agalloch fan a lot longer, I can safely say that all the good things I had heard about this release did not lie. I always appreciate it when, even if I'm not impressed by the idea, the playing is worthwhile, and the playing on here is really good. I love acoustic music, even though I don't listen to a whole lot of it, and the acoustic passages on here are just great. The black metal passages are nothing to look over though, while it's nothing groundbreaking, it's excellently written and performed, hear Awaiting The Fire Or Flood That Awakes It for example. The sparseness of vocals on here also brings a hint of refreshment for me, where vocals aren't covering up otherwise lackluster melodies.

I enjoyed this album quite a bit, and I have to say that this album was also a good length, not overly long, a good thing in my opinion. The people who've heard this have not lied about it when I've heard their opinions, really good stuff here. Definitely check it out if you want to hear blackened folk metal, or whatever you call it, with a sense of being genuine.
Overall Score: 9

The Free Press (Mark Dennis)
If metal must exist as a genre, this is how it ought to be. Gone are the macho posturing, disgusting hate speech and brutal pro-violence agenda of far too many modern metal acts.
Scarborough's Falls of Rauros have instead created a brand of metal that celebrates the vast and awesome beauty of the nature they grew up in. The imagery on the album "The Light That Dwells in Rotten Wood" is of old forests and even older mountains; the violence is that of a terrible thunderstorm and relentless dark waves crashing onto a rocky coast.
It's exactly the aesthetic you would expect from a band named after a waterfall in "The Lord of the Rings."

"The Light That Dwells in Rotten Wood" is not a typical black metal album – it's considerably easier on the ears. While clearly in the lineage of black metal powerhouses Gorgoroth, the boys in Falls of Rauros have taken that mannequin and given it a whole new wardrobe.
Where black metal is traditionally a highly dissonant experience, this album is teeming with melody and even greater harmonic variation. The semi-acoustic interludes scattered throughout suggest the influence of experimental and atmospheric metal pioneers such as Neurosis and Maudlin of the Well. A lot of black metal sounds dated, but by embracing a more diverse set of influences Falls of Rauros have achieved a more timeless quality in their music.

Everything about "The Light That Dwells in Rotten Wood" is huge, from the fog-obscured mountain on the cover, to the ambitious song lengths and massive walls of guitar that form the backbone of the music. The vocals sound shouted from the bottom of a dark cavern, providing a softer attack than the average scream. The instrumental performance is close to perfect, marred only by a few barely noticeable rhythmic hiccups. The production is clean and smart without sounding polished, and the album is well mixed, although the hard panning of the guitars makes this album a better listen on speakers than on headphones.

All told, Falls of Rauros have come out with an ambitious and highly successful new take on black metal that leaves me excited to see where they will go next.

Mtuk Metal Zine (Luci Herbert)
Perhaps I'm generalizing too much, but mention the words Tolkien and Metal to me in the same sentence and it brings to mind rather unpleasant thoughts of power/folk metal geeks in silly costumes waving plastic swords singing over-the-top nonsense about orcs, elves and dragons. A bit of digging tells me that the Falls Of Rauros is in fact a waterfall in Middle Earth and…well, to put it rather bluntly this band don't match up to my preconceptions of what a band heavily inspired by the adventures of Frodo and chums aught to sound like. If anything at all, this is probably inspired by the nature of the Tolkien-founded world; the rocks and rivers, waterfalls and forestation for it must be said the scenery is rather breathtaking in the films (sorry, literary dunce and fantasy fail, me).

Bindrune are a fairly consistent label and this one grabbed me straight away when I heard it. We are treated to a gentle introduction as 'Earth's Old Timid Grace' maunders in with a downcast strum and low-key drum patter that lends itself to a particularly strained, melancholic atmosphere that paves the way for the first track proper, 'Banished'. Straight away this shows what FOR are all about with beautiful mid-paced hypnotic guitars that really work one into a trance, over a backdrop of fierce drums while the vocals are delivered with a ferocious intensity that scrapes through the dense fog-like surroundings. There is an effortless motion from ravaging fury to sorrowful reflection and the quality persists throughout the chiaroscuro. 'Awaiting The Fire Or Flood That Awakes It' trembles in with an aura of calm before the melody sweeps us up and dumps us in deep water. The drumming is particularly intense and really drives things along nicely, before some warm lead guitar harmonies add extra colour to the palette over a thick bass line.

There is a majestic tone to 'Nonesuch River Chant' kind of like a hymn to a fallen king, with crestfallen "aaah"s, and a warm guitar melody that is joined by an almost tribal drum sound before leading the way into the not-so-silent, winding epic 'Silence'. This is a highly competent third album from this USBM group, which is clearly backed up with strength and conviction and the passion that separates the wolves from the sheep within this sub-genre. There's nothing wishy-washy about their sound and nothing that I particularly wish to criticise; there's a great range of high quality bands around right now playing this kind of nature-inspired black metal and this is definitely on a level with the Wodensthrones and Fallochs who are getting muchos attention. Every note draws the listener deeper into the extremes of nature, far away from the built-up surroundings complete with glaring computer screens and chaotic urban life. Comparisons to Agalloch and Fen are all too easy and if you are a fan of these bands then this is one album you need to check out.

Heavy Metal Tribune (Hong Rui)
Folk metal is a hit-or-miss genre for me. While most folk metal bands that have incorporated melodic death metal influences in them have largely been personally enjoyable, bands and albums with a pure folk metal sound such as Skyclad or Korpiklaani have never attracted me at all. Falls of Rauros is one that has fused elements of both black metal and folk metal together and The Light that Dwells in Rotten Wood is the result, a 45-minute epic journey.

Having an album artwork that resembles that of bands like Shroud of Despondency has certainly helped to pique my interest in the music, being a fan of the aforementioned band, and once the album starts playing, it is comforting that Falls of Rauros does not disappoint. Right from the opening track Earth's Old Timid Grace, the prominence and importance of acoustic instruments such as the acoustic guitars in the music as per many folk metal bands, is evident. The chords played on the acoustic guitars, accompanied by the slow pace of the drums and the eventual introduction of a melodic lead electric guitar line with a warm tone, provides for a soothing introduction to Falls of Rauros.

With one final strum on the electric guitar, the listener is introduced to Banished, a 11 minute track that displays yet another of the many faces of the band shown thus far. The repetitive riffs played by the instrumental section provides the foundation on which the songs on The Light that Dwells in Rotten Wood are written on, as the vocals, bleak, desolate and reeking of raw emotions, instantly reminds listeners of bands like Summoning, though Falls of Rauros tends to lean more towards the black metal side of the spectrum. Variations in the vocals are also utilised accordingly, with whispers occasionally used to emphasise the emotions that the band is trying to relate to listeners.

The fat and warm tone of the lead guitar throughout the album, along with the sad and emotional notes pulled out of the strings, while nothing fancy or showy, fit the overall ambience and atmosphere of the album. Acoustic guitars are also often utilised, at times reminding listeners of Opeth's acoustic outputs in their later career, such as on Awaiting the Fire or Flood that Awakes It. The bass guitars on the album also aren't neglected, with the heavy rumbling tone, providing the dark undertones, further enhancing the experience of the songs, such as on Banished. The drums also at times display technical brilliance, despite the usual slow and relaxed pace that Falls of Rauros tends to travel at. However, mostly it feels as if the aim of the band weren't to show off any of the individual members' talents, but rather to have the listener experience the music as one huge melting pot without breaking down the music into individual instruments.

The band's songwriting capabilities are also not to be undermined as most tracks on the album range in the 10 minute region, yet are capable of keeping the listener enchanted throughout. Even the interlude Nonesuch River Chant fits so well with the tracks before and after it that the entire album sounds as if it were one long track rather than 6 individual tracks, with the band going from one style to another in a smooth flow.

While the black metal influences are obvious in the music, what made The Light that Dwells in Rotten Wood such a wonderful experience are the beautiful melodies that have been incorporated in the music and the seeming lack of sense of urgency in the pace of the music with an almost childlike innocence (at least in terms of melody), giving one a relaxing listening experience, a welcome change from the usual uptight and aggressive atmosphere and mood that black metal bands tend to emit. 8.5/10

The Metal Forge (Colin McNamara)
Falls of Rauros' third full length album, 'The Light That Dwells In Rotten Wood', keeps up their legacy of creating a type of black metal that is both harsh and spiritual. Now in league with Bindrune Recordings, a label known well for atmospheric music acts such as Celestiial and Blood of the Black Owl, Falls should feel right at home among their counterparts. For those that know of this band, 'Light...' is just another stepping stone in the highly atmospheric black metal that stays outside the boundaries of being 'too generic' or 'too atmospheric'. So they should know what to expect. For new fans, this slab of nature themed black metal should appeal to those who enjoy the works of early Agalloch or Shroud of Despondency. The album itself switches between soft, atmospheric pieces and heavily melodic black metal, creating a balance that should be much appreciated so nothing here sounds one sided.

Tracks like "Earth's Old Timid Embrace" and "The Cormorants Shiver on Their Rocks" are the softer tracks on the album. Completely instrumental, they mostly feature acoustic melodies that softly follow lots of cymbal work from the drums (or no drumming at all). "The Cormorants..." are a bit louder with the cohesive sound of the guitars coming together, but also throws in a bit of piano to soften things out versus "Earth's..." which opens the album with some very simple, but repetitive notes that eventually flesh out in the middle so it doesn't seem like a complete repeat over and over. The only instrumental on the album that is truly repetitive is "Nonesuch River Chant," which solely features acoustic guitar, but Falls throw in some haunting, low key backing vocals to help with the atmosphere, and it works wonderfully for the quiet tone of the music. Heavily invested in the nature style of the folky black metal they try to create.

The heavier tracks are also saturated in folk and melody. "Banished" comes first with violent, distorted chords, but layered on top of them are tons of singular melody lines that- if played alone- would make the music sound like a doom metal album. The drums are a bit buried in the music, but the atmosphere is kept up through the vocals, which are high pitched shrieks that echo in time with the music, but are neither too high or faded that they cannot be completely understood. This is where some would consider Falls to sound like Shroud of Despondency as they use similar vocal format. Sometimes the black metal vengeance will suddenly cease, such as on "Silence", for a short while and the whole acoustic/natural feeling with come back with the music similar to the instrumental tracks, but it only keeps up for a little while. This little game of catch-and-mouse keeps up for quite a while though, constantly switching back and forth much like Satyricon's debut album and a track like "Dark Medieval Times," one of the classics of black metal these days. Thankfully, learning from Satyricon's mistakes, Falls keep the switching from being completely predictable by changing the notes every time each section takes a turn.

Despite the album being only six tracks, listeners will be well rewarded for their time. Like most atmospheric black metal acts, Falls Of Rauros keep the instrumental tracks short and sweet intro, interlude, and outro while the black metal based tracks range from nine to thirteen minutes of music. Epics can be a lot to stomach for some, but 'The Light That Dwells...' is far from boring. Don't expect any droning music here. Falls have capitalised on their nature emphasis and tried to invoke as much of it as possible through their instruments without the help of any lengthy sample passages, which would possibly ruin the organic touch of the album. This would probably be a great start for new fans who seek enlightening black metal, as it culminates the best parts of what Falls has done so far, and older fans won't be disappointed if they've been following this far. 8/10

Metal Provider (Sacir)
Falls Of Rauros is a black metal unit from Scarborough/Maine (USA). Their new album consists of only six tracks and it is entitled The Light That Dwells In Rotten Wood. Alone the nature of this release and number of the songs tells you that most of the tracks are lengthy, although quite entertaining creating the imagery of old forests, mountains, thunderstorms and beautiful nature.

The Light That Dwells In Rotten Wood is a quite unusual black metal release, as you'll not hear any hate speech, blasphemy or pro-violence elements here. On the opposite, the band celebrates the nature and all of its beauty and danger. It is also a quite emotional, melodic and highly atmospheric release. While listening to this record I felt like dreaming away led by the power of nature. The vocals sound like coming from the deepest black hole, being deep, harsh, dark and screaming. Apart from the vocals, the band also creates this huge wall of different sounds and influences.

The production is clean but without sounding over-polished, yet to times it appears like being 'thin'. The overall mix of the album is equally good and balanced, while the imagery and cover tells you the story of this band and their connection to the nature. I was surprised to hear how metal parts can interact perfectly with the acoustic ones.
One thing is certain; Falls of Rauros have come out with an ambitious and heartfelt new offering taking a black metal genre to a whole new and yet unchallenged dimension. Recommended for the fans of traditional black & folk metal as well as those into Neurosis, Gorgoroth, Fen, Týr, Agalloch and similar acts. 5 out of 6 skulls!

Metal Music Archives
The Light That Dwells in Rotten Wood is the third studio effort to be released by United States' Falls of Rauros. The six track, forty-three minute album was released in 2011. The group plays black metal with some minor touches of folk. The tracks are split into two distinct groups. Three and long black metal pieces while three are much shorter non-metal pieces that serve as an intro, interlude and outro respectively.

The three metal tracks are obviously the main focus here, but the opening Earth's Old Timid Grace does an excellent job of getting the album off. A light and melodic instrumental, as it gets nearing its end it starts containing hints of the black metal onslaught that is going to follow with Banished. Well, I say onslaught, the music certainly has the key elements of black metal, but there are some small folk touches to parts of the group's music, and I dare say a little bit of a post-rock influence as well, though not to the extremes of an act such as Fen. Use of acoustics is commonplace in Falls of Rauros compositions, and I like that, because they do it extremely effectively.

Awaiting the Fire or Flood That Awakes It and Silence is are the other two metal tracks. Like Banished they are long track. Long tracks in black metal can sometimes be an issue for me, after all take the key elements of the style that Falls of Rauros are showcasing on The Light That Dwells in Rotten Wood; black metal styled riffs, and typical black metal rasps. Give me tracks over ten minutes in length just like that and I'm like to find a boredom fest. But Falls of Rauros don't do that, they go beyond to create something more polished, though this still has a somewhat raw like quality to the heavy side of the music, but it' also more complex than much black metal, though it may take a few listens to really discover just how much depth the record really has. I especially like the way they do actually break away from the usual methods for this sort of black metal and make a point of including some lead guitar that is very prominent in the mix that it's impossible to not recognise it as a solo as opposed to the melodic leads that are heard in the lighter side to the band's music. Overall the resulting atmosphere is nothing short of extraordinary.

The lighter pieces are also really good additions to the overall experience. The aforementioned Earth's Old Timid Grace is great for the way it uses melody to draw you in to thinking that The Light That Dwells in Rotten Wood is going to be an entirely laidback affair before moving seamlessly into Banished and the later lighter pieces also work really well within the larger context with the short Nonesuch River Chant proving a decent interlude and the closing The Cormorants Shiver on Their Rocks being just right to close off the album in a similar fashion to the way it began. There are some lighter sections in the metal tracks as well, but not so much as to leave one in doubt about the true nature of this release. The use of acoustic guitars throughout only improves upon the quality of the compositions when they shift things up a gear into the metal.

The balance is done just right between the two distinct sides of Falls of Rauros' music here and that is why The Light that Dwells in Rotten Wood stands as one of the year's finest black metal releases. This is an album that you just need to immerse yourself in and enjoy and I imagine that fans of the likes of Fen and artists like them will find something to enjoy here. 9.2/10

Metal Revolution
Falls Of Rauros is a black metal unit from Scarborough/Maine (USA). Their new album consists of only six tracks and it is entitled The Light That Dwells In Rotten Wood. Alone the nature of this release and number of the songs tells you that most of the tracks are lengthy, although quite entertaining creating the imagery of old forests, mountains, thunderstorms and beautiful nature.

The Light That Dwells In Rotten Wood is a quite unusual black metal release, as you'll not hear any hate speech, blasphemy or pro-violence elements here. On the opposite, the band celebrates the nature and all of its beauty and danger. It is also a quite emotional, melodic and highly atmospheric release. While listening to this record I felt like dreaming away led by the power of nature. The vocals sound like coming from the deepest black hole, being deep, harsh, dark and screaming. Apart from the vocals, the band also creates this huge wall of different sounds and influences.

The production is clean but without sounding over-polished, yet to times it appears like being 'thin'. The overall mix of the album is equally good and balanced, while the imagery and cover tells you the story of this band and their connection to the nature. I was surprised to hear how metal parts can interact perfectly with the acoustic ones.

One thing is certain; Falls of Rauros have come out with an ambitious and heartfelt new offering taking a black metal genre to a whole new and yet unchallenged dimension. Recommended for the fans of traditional black & folk metal as well as those into Neurosis, Gorgoroth, Fen, Týr, Agalloch and similar acts. 81/100

Canadian Assault (Dale)
I do not think I have ever heard black / viking / folk sort of epic metal this good from a North American band before. I was sure when I pressed play that I would find out Falls of Rauros were from somewhere in Scandinavia. So imagine my surprise when I investigate and find out this quality outfit hails from the mist swept forests of Maine. At times they make me think of one of my all time faves of this style Kampfar. Falls produce some grand mental landscapes and produce in me waves of introspective and mournful emotions. They interweave some heavy galloping parts with flowing folkish acoustic guitars displaying a dexterity that illustrates their mature song writing skill. I really enjoyed this but you probably have to be in a mellow, low key kind of mood and be willing to let yourself be carried away with the current. For me it is a fine counterpoint to put on against the hate and extremity that often fills much of my musical preference.

Blistering (Justin Donnelly)
When it comes to finding strange and unusual acts that dwell within the black/folk metal realm, you can count on Bindrune Recordings to unearth them, and introduce them to a whole new audience on a global scale. Following on from recently successful releases from acts such as Obsequiae and Forest of the Soul, Bindrune Recordings have signed up Portland, ME-based outfit Falls of Rauros and released their latest full-length effort The Light That Dwells In Rotten Wood.

Despite high praise for their two former full-length efforts (2006's Into The Archaic and 2008's Hail Wind And Hewn Oak), I couldn't say that I was all that impressed with Falls Of Rauros' past efforts. Yes, the primitive production values played a part, but it was band's lack of songwriting strength that really failed to grab me for the most part, leaving me with the impression that while there was potential within the band, Falls of Rauros still hadn't quite hit their stride.

Now returning with their third effort The Light That Dwells In Rotten Wood, the band have clearly stepped up in every way, and finally put together a release that is well and truly their strongest effort to date.

From the moment the band greet the listener with the instrumental piece "Earth's Old Timid Grace," it's clear that a lot of thought and time has gone into the production this time around, with the clarity and the balance definitely standing out as a huge improvement on past endeavours. There's also a greater acoustic influence in the band's song structures, which definitely gives the band a sound that's more atmospheric and progressive in nature, and infinitely more interesting than their song writing of old.

After the short introduction piece, the band takes on a heavier and denser black metal sound with "Banished." Maintaining the shoe-gazer atmospherics of the former track, and balancing it out with a distinctly strong black metal influence, "Banished" is a sweeping mix of melodic atmospherics and blackened aggression, with just the right mix of heavy riffs, harsh vocals and subtle melodic hooks and shades of captivating musicianship.

The equally lengthy "Awaiting The Fire Or Flood That Awakes It" (14 minutes in all) is another stand out track with its ebb and flow of aggressive passages and moments of gentle serenity, while "Silence" is by far the album's most consistently brutal effort, while the closing instrumental "The Cormorants Shiver On Their Rocks" offers up a sound that's at the complete opposite end of the spectrum with its greater presence of acoustics and string instruments.

Despite the band's lack of variation in the songwriting direction on the album as a whole, and the somewhat overextended feel on some of the tracks, The Light That Dwells In Rotten Wood is an absolute triumph for Falls of Rauros, and comes highly recommended for fans of Agalloch and Shroud of Despondency. [7.5/10]

Mario's Metal Mania (William Nijhof)
Falls of Rauros was formed in 2005. In 2006 they released their first demo. And 2006 gave light to their debut "Into the Archaic". In 2007 they released another demo and 2008 they released their second album "Hail Wind and Hewn Oak". 2009 gave light to a compilation album.

This is their 3rd full length album and it sounds ravaging. The guitar riffs are very doom and melodic with typical black riffs. The drums are straight in your face with a lot of groove and melody. The vocals are very evil sounding screams that gives everything a very dark and epic feeling. When you listen to this album you get a lot of different things to hear, even though their black metal there is so much more in the music that makes this album an absolute masterpiece. The music is filled with solos and acoustic parts that sometimes reminds me a bit of Wolves in the Throne Room.

This album sounds like an epic journey that keeps you listening to every song. If you like bands like the one I mentioned then you are going to enjoy this album.

Highwire Daze (Kenneth Morton)
The wondrous artistry found in the compositions of Falls Of Rauros is so grand and ambitious, one expects their locale to be somewhere within the desolate forests of Scandinavia. And while Falls Of Rauros are actually from the States, the vast and picturesque Portland, Maine is their hometown.

There is a good deal of imagination and intrigue to discovered on The Light That Dwells In Rotten Wood, rich with dark metal tapestries that have a genuine mystical appeal. Agalloch and Enslaved come to mind if comparisons must be rendered, but Falls Of Rauros place their own unique trademark on the black/folk metal genre. Six tracks in all, destined to take the listener on an unforgettable musical journey through the dark and obscure forests of times gone by.

The Light That Dwells In Rotten Wood commences on an ominous note, with the acoustic strains of Earth’s Old Timid Grace weaving a hypnotic spell on the listener. The recording then explodes with the epic Banished, thrilling the listener with its vivid dynamics and extreme sense of splendor.

Up next is the nearly 14 minute magnum opus Awaiting The Fire Or Flood That Awakes It, staggering in scope with its somber reveries. Exquisite and impassioned, this track is sure to dazzle the sense of many a metal aficionado.

A brief respite in found with the Nonesuch River Chant, lulling the listener into a deceptively blissful state of being. And then what follows is a track entitled Silence, another lengthy masterwork that is absolutely devastating. The exhibition concludes with the lingering melodies of The Cormorants Shiver On Their Rocks, a serene yet enigmatically radiant grand finale.

A remarkable achievement to be sure, The Light That Dwells In Rotten Wood by Falls Of Rauros is a true underground force of nature to be reckoned with. A gripping collection of tunes that will surely endure throughout the metal ages. Another exciting new release from the wizards at Birdrune Recordings!

Meat Mead Metal (Vbkrasman)
When I get a record from Bindrune Recordings, almost without fail my first reaction is, “I wish I was listening to this in the woods.” Of course, their web site is emblazoned with the motto “Woodland Denizens … Unite,” so that feeling I get inside of me certainly is by design.

Over the past few years, the Michigan-based label has come at us with some incredibly interesting and equally dark bands such as Blood of the Black Owl, Nechochwen, Wodensthrone, Celestiial, and Forest of the Soul, and it probably takes some split appreciation of savage, primitive metal and some forest folk rock in order to embrace this brand of music. Or if you’re into the nature worshippers such as Darkthrone, very early Immortal, and sadly defunct Swedish act Bathory, or the North American bands that pay homage to the elements such as Wolves in the Throne Room and Agalloch, you might want to find out more about this label if you haven’t already.

Two new records are fresh in stores for you, and while they hold the Bindrune philosophy intact, each take things in a different direction and explore entirely separate terrains. Both are exciting albums and provide something of a change-up for metal audiences, and it’s nice that this style and attitude hasn’t become something that a hundred millions bands have jumped on and beaten into the ground. At least not yet.

Maine’s Falls of Rauros obviously latch onto Tolkien for their moniker, and they’re on their third full-length effort with “The Light That Dwells in Rotten Wood,” the follow-up to 2008’s “Hail Wind and Hewn Hawk.” Listening to this record, it’s easy to envision being around a crackling fire in the middle of the woods, with owls calling behind you, and even though it would take a good bit of cords draped through the trees to accomplish this, the band’s colorful, melodic black metal being dropped over you like a drape. It would be the ideal setting.

The six cuts on this new album are rustic and folk-friendly, but they also have a majesty and power to them to please even the most finicky of black metal fans. The quartet, who take on simple first names and no surnames, are a bit of a mystery, as they’re not Internet darlings and they don’t have their photos all over every metal web site going, but that only lends credence to their desire to blend into nature. Their music is labeled “North Appalachian Heathen Black Metal,” and that’s a pretty excellent way to describe what you’ll hear on songs such as “Banished,” which is atmospheric and airy, though smeared with fury when need it needs to be; “Awaiting the Fire or Flood That Awakes It,” which has acoustic strumming behind the prevailing thunderstorm; and “Silence,” a song that is anything but that after its misleadingly quiet guitar and piano intro, and is an excellent example of emotionally charged, wholly human black metal. It’s a fantastic album for a summer walk, a quiet boat ride, or a date with your backyard fire pit, and while it may not fill you with rage, it will help you get in touch with your animalistic spirit in other ways.

The Inarguable (E)
Falls of Rauros; a band I have been almost obsessive over since I first heard them back in 2007. One of the most ambitious and brilliant bands to ever emerge from the US black metal scene. When I caught wind that Bindrune was to release this new outing, I almost lost my mind. I had to have it. I remember A. Lunn (from Panopticon/Seidr) telling what an amazing album this was, he was beyond right on this. I admit I am going to be all drool-y and frothing in this review, but I cannot help it, this album is truly THAT GOOD.

Super melodic, folky, woodland black metal of the absolute highest order. Beautiful acoustic passages and insanely emotive black metal make up the bulk of this disc and while the style has been done to death, no one is doing it the way that FoR is. This is some of the most genuine and passionate music I have personally ever heard and it actually kind of scares me. After the first spin of this album, I actually had to step away and take a moment to put my thought process back into normal order. It is so involved and enveloping, that it almost seems like an out of body experience. The only thing I can compare this to is either Ulver's Bergtatt or Agalloch's The Mantle - in the respect that everything fits into place and is so cohesive that it is almost like one long conceptual track. Everything has a place and fits together to make a grandiose and truly epic piece of musical art.

In total, this is probably one of the shortest reviews I have ever written, but to be honest, the emotional impact this album had on me, I cannot describe in words. The only advice I can give is to buy this (buy 4 copies and give them to friends or just keep them on hold when you wear your copy out) and experience it for yourself. This album is so immense and perfect (I barely use that word for anything and am not joking whatsoever) that it literally had me reconsidering my involvement in music altogether. That almost never happens and when it does, I know that whatever I had just experienced is so profound that it almost becomes a life changing moment. Dear readers, this may be the best black metal album to come out in many years and is possibly my pick for album of the year. Absolutely outstanding, perfect and emotionally jarring. My mind is officially blown.

Hammer Smashed Sound (Krumbled Kookie)
Maine's Falls of Rauros has been a good band since they formed back in 2006. With each release, they have improved, hitting their stride in 2008 with the full-length album Hail Wind and Hewn Oak. Their first album of new material since then sees Falls of Rauros becoming a great band, and in fact, joining the elite of American black metal. It may be easy for some to dismiss this band as just another nature-loving folk-ish black metal act with a Tolkien-inspired name, but that's nonsense. There is no pretension, no trend-hopping, here. Falls of Rauros have succeeded where many other bands have failed, bringing a genuine, heartfelt strain of folk into their black metal. The production on this album is more polished than Hail Wind, but that doesn't leave this album feeling any less organic. The emotions remain raw and close to the surface, allowing this album to, in many ways, feel like home - to me at least.

I've been thinking quite a bit about how geography effects music since I wrote the review for the Forest of the Soul album; that album is distinctly Appalachian. There's a piece of that here, too, but this album feels more... northern, if that makes any sense. It feels like New England, like the Atlantic Ocean, like the great mountains and lakes that decorate the vistas of the Northeast. It even feels a bit like the Adirondacks- the place my spirit calls home. But I digress... What you should take from all of this is that Falls of Rauros have become amazing songwriters, with the ability to expertly communicate a wide variety of feelings and ideas with beautiful acoustic guitars, gentle atmospherics, and heavy and soulful guitar playing. Austin Lunn's drums don't hurt, either - as one of the best drummers metal has to offer these days, he helps bring the raw emotion of the songs pouring down with fury and precision.

An atmosphere of melancholy is prominent on this album, but there is more to it than that. What I've heard each and every time I've listened to this album, is a feeling of respect - respect for everything that surrounds us, even if we don't understand or appreciate it. There are malign, destructive forces at work, but there's also something positive to be taken from that. A lesson to be learned, perhaps. From darkness, light... and in that light, a will to celebrate.

This all adds up to what may end up being the best black metal record of the year.

Metal Army (Metal George)
Proving that there may indeed be some talent and life…er, I mean ‘death’ lurking within the deep, dark woods of Maine, Falls of Rauros take the blueprint etched out by neo-black metal bands like Wolves In the Throne Room and run with it, adding their own, folk inspired sources of melody to this mix along the way.

This concoction is quite potent, even dispelling any misgivings one might have with the ‘North Appalachian Heathen Black Folk Metal’ tag of which the band seems so fond. No, the foul stench of hipster doesn’t really permeate the involved song structures or tasteful, impressive lead licks and melodies which otherwise busy themselves within the bulk of Rauros’ composition.

There is this sense of aged appreciation lurking withing Falls of Rauros; a stylistic nod to their Norwegian and Swedish forebears which gives the music here on The Light That Dwells In Rotten Wood a leg up on their USBM competition. Yet the aforementioned lead presence is what serves as the album’s most impressive feature; an excellent tendency to allow each song to flow naturally, bubbling out of the speakers with flowing emotion and a passionate dedication to the acoustic and electric guitar strains which stir the soul.

Fans of Agalloch and Wolves take note: Falls of Rauros have a come a long way to be here with album number three, and they aim to nip straight at the heels of titans with this one. Really solid work all around.

Metal Reviews (Jake)
People make fun of metalheads for making genres out of absurdly long strings of words, and bands like...oh, let's go with “progressive blackened folk post-metal” outfit Falls of Rauros aren't helping. But never let it be said that FoR do nothing for us, because they do provide us with some pretty interesting albums. Their latest, The Light That Dwells in Rotten Wood, is an appealing blend of quasi-ambient mid-tempo riffing, dirge-like seesaw folk melodies and shockingly spare atmospheric vocals. Though it evokes styles from Opeth-like prog to black metal to folk, it really belongs alongside the bands of the mostly instrumental post-metal scene. It's not about riffs or ideologies; it's about soundscapes and haze.

That Devil Music (Scott W.)
I’m very picky about the black metal that I listen to. I’m not all about the glitz and glammy black metal and I don’t really feel the extremely lo-fi black metal that a lot of the trve and kvlt fans feel is the only true form of black metal. I like what I find interesting and bands in the black metal genre are few and far between in this aspect. I really wish we had a writer here that specialized in this genre, but alas, we don’t. So braving the task of doing a review of a black metal album can be rather challenging. That is unless it’s something that strikes my interest like Falls of Rauros‘ new album, The Light That Dwells In Rotten Wood does.

Not your typical black metal, this American Black metal band hails from Maine. Yeah, Maine. I know, it kind of sounds weird. They describe their sound as “North Appalachian Heathen Black Folk Metal”. This is an accurate description, but it still can not emphasize the beauty of their music, especially if you have never heard them. The folk element of the band is where it’s at. Like Nechochwen (Who are also on the same label, Bindrune Records), they mix heavy elements and sounds of folk guitar sounds with black metal. Sounds like an unlikely mix, but it works amazingly.

Unlike their last full length album, Hail Wind and Hewn Oak, The Light That Dwells’ features more of the acoustic folk sounds and a bit less of the heaviness of the black metal. The production on the album is a step up from Hail Wind And Hewn Oak as well. Since the 2008 album, Falls of Rauros’ drummer left the band and they were stuck looking for a replacement. For recording purposes, the band worked with Panopticon and Seidr drummer Austin Lunn (or sometimes “Lundr”) to complete The Light That Dwells. While drums were recorded in Louisville, Kentucky at Lunn’s home, the rest of the album was recorded and engineered in Falls’ practice space in Portland, Maine. What transpired from their work is an eclectic 6 songs and 44 minutes of blackened progressive folk music. Even the heavier, distorted pieces are very melodic and mixed so well with the acoustic and clean guitars that everything just seems to blend very well together.

If you enjoyed Nechochwen’s Azimuths To The Underworld and Ihsahn’s After from 2010, you’ll most definitely enjoy The Light that Dwells In Rotten Wood. The atmosphere, melody and overall musicianship on The Light That Dwells is nothing short of memorable and stunningly remarkable. I don’t know if I have fully or even remotely described this album vividly enough to say how good it is, but some things just can not be put in to words. No need for a number here. Check/buy this album at Bindrune Records.

wickedchannel.com (Mike)
Falls of Rauros, simply known as FoR to their fans, have always been an eclectic American black metal, but with the release of The Light that Dwells in Rotten Wood, their progressiveness is now worlds beyond what I ever thought would come out of them. With a somewhat droning, melodic black metal sound, Falls of Rauros hits all of your senses with their latest release.

The Light that Dwells in Rotten Wood is an aural masterpiece that takes your moods from mellow and melodic to fits of anger with their distorted segments. The melodic segments are hypnotic and well thought out while the heavy moments are just pure anger released into your soul.

With only 6 tracks to the album, each track better well be worth it, and I can tell you that they are. Even Nonesuch River Chant, coming in at a minute and a half blends itself to the rest of the album and feels like it belongs instead of feeling like filler.

Kudos to Falls of Rauros for releasing one of my favorite black metal albums of the year. While I like my black metal pure and droning, I can appreciate what Falls of Rauros has done on this one and am happy to recommend it to any metal fan.

Absolute Zero Media (Clint Listing)
Bindrune is a label that needs the ritualistic, folk and heathen element in there music almost as much as the Black or Doom elements. With Falls of Rauros I hear everything that Portland OR (Note I was told their from Portland ME Sorry for error) has become over the yrs. Its bringing the underground to the mainstream for those who want to hear it. With this release I can hear elements of Wolves in the throne room, Alcest, Fen and A Forest of Stars all rolled into one with an atmosphere second to none. You can actually feel the torment and love of a nature and old world that is being torn from the very soul of this band. There is a madness going on here that is more then just musical you can feel the hopeless and hopefullness (sometimes in the same song). I hate using the work Epic but that is just what a band like Falls of Rauros are. There are so many styles, ideals and movements going on here, This is not for the casual listener and that what makes it all the more special as with most Bindrune releases. There for us that love music , the old world and those values that were held in a time of honor and humanity. I hope this stays a bit more personal as it would be lost on many . Stellar release gentlemen....