Sleep at the Edge of the Earth

Wilderun

Hello Temple, I'm back with some more WILDERUN for you today. WILDERUN is a band […]
By Sebastien "Bass" Parent
February 29, 2016
Wilderun - Sleep at the Edge of the Earth album cover

Hello Temple, I'm back with some more WILDERUN for you today. WILDERUN is a band from Boston, USA that was created in 2008 by Evan Berry but was only a solo project until 2012 when he met Wayne. Together, they decided to bring us something we never really heard before, American tales into Folk Metal, which was their first album in 2012.

A little over a year ago, WILDERUN decided to create a Kickstarter to get the last bit of financing necessary for their second album called "Sleep at the Edge of the Earth". They were running short of 5000$ for production fees. The outcome was great considering that they have a small fan base still. I say still because they deserve a lot more fans, especially after this marvellous album right here. They were able to raise close to 8000$, enough to finish the album and go on tour in the summer of 2015. I'm proud to have been a part of this fundraising.

"Sleep at the Edge of the Earth" is a masterpiece, there is no other way to say it. The recording is flawless, the sound is so crisp that you can hear every string of the guitars that created this beauty. The musicianship is above exceptional and the voice is just perfect. Every time I listen to this album; it sends shivers down my spine. WILDERUN were able to merge Death Metal growl, with a Power Metal sound mixed with Folk Metal instruments into this Progressive work of art.

The album opens on "Dust and Crooked Thoughts", a brilliant opening with a rainy background track and some birds introducing the Mandolin and Corus, blending into a 4 part opus that is "Ash Memory". This epic melody that ensues contains everything; epic guitar solos, heavy riffs, heavy vocal track, slower dramatic orchestral part and even some brilliant subdued guitar. This 20 minute track will not leave you indifferent.

"The Garden of Fire" is a lot heavier and faster. It is a ferocious show of power that will leave you breathless after its 10 minutes of heavy riffs and growl. Going from one extreme of WILDERUN's spectrum, we move to "Linger", an acoustic song that is built on emotion where the marriage of the folk instrument and the clear voice of Evan were meant to be.

But this was only a build up for "The Means to Preserve". With a dramatic chorus and powerful melody, you are treated to some of the best WILDERUN can offer in this song. Trumping everything before it as a way to say; we are not done just yet.

I think the only negative thing I found on this album is the switch from "The Means to Preserve" and "Sleep at the Edge of the Earth". It was a bit brutal, the music just stops on a high note and moves on to the piano. But it doesn't remove anything from the title track, which is a brilliant way to bring you back down from the high of your day that was this album.

This album is my number one for the year 2015. I strongly believe that WILDERUN deserves a lot more fans. They are one of the well-kept secret of the USA I guess, but hopefully this heads-up on our own Metal-Temple will give them some more visibility.

With the Kickstarter rewards, I was treated to a video of the band raising their beer to me personally, now it's my turn to raise my beer to you, WILDERUN. You promised a good album and you delivered to us this masterpiece that will stay in our hearts forever.

10 / 10

Masterpiece

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"Sleep at the Edge of the Earth" Track-listing:

1. Dust and Crooked Thoughts
2. And So Opens the Earth (Ash Memory Part I)
3. Hope and Shadow (Ash Memory Part II)
4. Bite the Wound (Ash Memory Part III)
5. The Faintest Echo (Ash Memory Part IV)
6. The Garden of Fire
7. Linger
8. The Means to Preserve
9. Sleep at the Edge of the Earth

Wilderun Lineup:

Evan Berry - Vocals, Guitars, Mandolin, Melodica
Daniel Müller - Bass, Hammered dulcimer, Autoharp
Jonathan Teachey - Drums, Percussion, Vocals
Wayne Ingram - Guitars, Mandolin, Vocals, Banjo
Joe Gettler - Lead Guitar

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