In the beginning of a new musical genre (or its subgenres), the formulas of playing are simple and all is near, giving an identity to the genre. After some years (it doesn’t mean that a long time is needed, as an example, Black Metal with EMPEROR, ROTTING CHRIST, SATYRICON and some other pioneers started to cause fragmentations on the genre near the roots of the Second Wave), new subgenres appear, guarding some resemblances with the origins, but with new features. This is what is shown on “Spiritus Sylvestris”, the new album of the Dutch one man band ISKANDR. Their musical work is a form of experimental Pagan/Folk Metal with some influences of Atmospheric Black Metal, World Music, Neoclassic Dark Wave and others that entwines charming and landscaping ambiences filled with clean vocals with some harsh instrumental tunes.

One will have an idea of dealing with an album similar in some aspects to “Hammerheart” (the groundbreaking BATHORY’s release), but guarding a more personal and introspective appeal. Their musical work is tender, full of a melancholic and charming appeal, full of a personal insight, but the lack of harsh screams and shrieks can cause panic to die hard Black Metal fans. Pieter Kloos is the one who did the recordings, sound engineering and mixing of “Spiritus Sylvestris”, and the mastering was done by Greg Chandler. All to gather the right filthy and crude ambience that the band’s music needs, because the idea seems to bear something organic, but always in a way that can be understood by the hearers without problems.

“Spiritus Sylvestris” isn’t an album hard to deal with for fans of bands as ULVER, MORTIIS, and all those who are into a more ample vision of music. And to deal with it for a first time, “Knagend Zout” (filled with excellent keyboards parts sustained by a “Hammerheart” set of heavy rhythms created by bass guitar and drums), “Waterwolf” (it’s not hard to check some Post Punk/Gothic Rock influences on it, with very good catchy rhythms again and charming vocals), “Hof Der Valken” (a long song with hypnotic harsh moments with a deeper and melancholic appeal, with clean melodic vocals), and “Nachtvorst” are the right ones.

To tell the truth, “Spiritus Sylvestris” is a hard album to deal with for traditional fans of any Metal genre. But for those who are courageous enough, the beauties created by ISKANDR will be revealed.