WAYFARER : "RIDERS OF THE SETTING SUN"

Gone are the last vestiges of metal as they have crossed over into dark Americana. They have also invited a few other musicians to help celebrate the occasion. There is post-punk influence without veering off into the genre.  More of a rambling strum holding the tension here than any taut bass line owing its existence to Joy Division. The first song has a bit of a Wovenhand feel so it is not surprising that David Eugene Edwards appears on the second song. The trembling anxiety of his voice is what separates him from their singer's similar baritone croon. They bring in stormy dynamics that swell up. 

Ben Chisholm from Chelsea Wolfe's band produces this album. "Black Waves & Early Graves" drifts out of the smoke from the previous song, as things begin to hold a more uniform feel. There is a heavier dynamic in play that does not build into metal. Keylly from Dreanought leans her voice to the album on "Casey's Last Ride". There is more of a Johnny Cash sound here to the main vocal, andd she just adds in a more atmospheric bridge. It does provide a more haunting color; 'Fell Spur' carries more western twang, and a touch of blues. It is not unlike something Kris Kristofferson might have done in the 70s. 

Jay Munly shows up on "Grey Country". It is one of the more sullen moments so far on the album, more depressing than your typical Wovenhand song. Munly's voice is the lowest on the album thus far. "Hollow Hearts on the Way to Eden" coasts along smoothly adn the vocals work well with it, so it is not like I'm asking a great deal here. The last song that finds Midwife joining them drones with a swirling, almost shoegaze-like atmosphere that is dense but not hooky. Overall, this album sounds great and taps into some wonderful moods, I will give it a 9.