Willowisp

"Unseen"
(independent)  

This band, whom I believe are from Italy, are playing what appears to be atmospheric, ambient metal (one of the many sub-subgenres of the metal scene today), with a touch of Goth. They use metal guitar riffs (mainly Black Sabbath/black metal style) and drumming, combined with atmospheric keyboards, which sometimes sound like a music box, courtesy of keys maestro Loredana Canepa, and haunting vocal harmonies, sung by vocalist Paolo Puppo, in a low moan. Also featured is a female guest vocalist Micaela Gotelli, on a few tracks. The music is slow and somber, dark and spooky, but with a sense of sophistication to it, with lyrics that appear to be odes to ancient Pagan gods. The music takes you on a journey through a dark little fantasy world. In some ways, they remind me of Maudlin Of The Well, although not quite as bizarre. The band is talented, and their songs are well crafted and played. A few song that I thought stood out were "Lost In The Sands", which is the heaviest song on the album, the guitar being a little more pronounced on this one, giving the song an extra push. There are also two instrumentals, "Paatah" (all classical guitar) and "Eyes" (all keyboards), both are haunting, atmospheric, and nicely played. This is not a style of music I am all that familiar with, but for what it is, this is a well done album.   

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