IGNIS FATUUS

WHITE WILLOW's debut album is a great blend of dark, Scandinavian Folk music and that classic seventies Prog sound.These are songs that various members of the band had recorded over a two year period. There are so many instruments that are used on this record, it's incredible ! There is mellotron used on at least 8 of the 12 tracks, although it is very subtle.

"Snowfall" opens with gentle guitar as male and female vocals in English come in. There are outbursts of drums before the song becomes pastoral again. "Lord Of Night" has female vocals with light drums and flute. Violin comes into this mellow soundscape. Some heaviness 3 minutes in with some good guitar. Vocals are back after 5 minutes. I'm reminded of SINKADUS 6 minutes in. "Song" is like a traditional Norwegien folk song and is my least favourite. "Ingenting" is one of my three favourite songs on this album. It's very pleasant sounding, so delicate and beautiful with fragile male vocals. "The Withering of the Boughs" is the earliest recorded song that is on this album. It's an excellent tune with male vocals and a female vocal melody accompanying.The song speeds up towards the end.

"Lines On An Autumnal Evening" features guitar and flute with cello later. A great female vocal melody 3 minutes in. "Now In These Fairy Lands" has English female vocals and 12 string guitar as the song builds with drums upfront. "Piletreef" is another very good song thanks to the fantastic female vocal melodies. "Till he Arrives" has some gentle guitar and flute melodies. Drums come in as song speeds up. "Cryptomenysis" is my favourite song on this disc. The organ to begin things reminds me of SINKADUS. The female vocal melodies with drums and guitar are incredible. There is some heaviness after 5 minutes. The female vocal melodies come back late in the song. "Signs" is a mellow Folk song with classical guitar and violin. "John Aee's Lament" is one of my top three songs on this record. It opens with a piano melody followed by drums and male vocals. Drums dominate as the violin comes in. Great sound ! After 7 minutes i'm reminded of SINKADUS again.

If your into SINKADUS I think you'll love this album. It is more laid back than that band though. Fans of Folk music should check this out.