BARREN EARTH

A Complex Of Cages

CENTURY MEDIA

Finland’s prog/death explorers mark out rich new territory When Barren earth first began, the prog and death-minded side-project was viewed as something of a supergroup and featured members past and present from Kreator, amorphis, October Falls, Swallow The Sun and Moonsorrow. Their third album, 2015’s On Lonely Towers, saw the introduction of a new singer, hamferð’s Jón aldará to their ranks and his performances took the six-piece to new creative heights. A Complex Of Cages pushes the envelope further still and the Faroese frontman has really stamped his authority on tracks as Ruby and Zeal. Though the band’s formula of technical death verses followed by clean vocals and 70s prog flourishes for the choruses becomes a little predictable, when they get the recipe right the results are very tasty. The Living Fortress is their finest moment and sounds like Sikth performing the War Of The Worlds soundtrack. Weird, but often wonderful, too.

FOR FANS OF: PARADISE LOST, OPETH, AMORPHIS

EDWIN MCFEE