Released 30 years ago
Forests of Witchery
Thy Serpent · 1996
48 min · 6 tracks · black metal
A haunting blend of melancholic melodies and raw black metal fury, enveloping listeners in an ethereal atmosphere of darkness.
Top tracks — play these first
-
→
Flowers of Witchery Abloom — This opening track sets the tone with lush melodies intertwined with harsh vocals, encapsulating the album's thematic exploration of nature and darkness.
-
→
Only Dust Moves… — Its lengthy composition allows for an immersive journey through shifting dynamics, showcasing the band's ability to blend melody with intensity seamlessly.
-
→
Like a Funereal Veil of Melancholy — This track epitomizes the album's emotional core, combining mournful riffs with contemplative lyrics that reflect on loss and despair.
Elevation
Our rating, out of 100 — and why.
AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.
The album blends atmospheric melodies with raw black metal, establishing a distinct sound within its genre.
What we noticed
- The album opens with a slow, atmospheric introduction that gradually builds into faster, tremolo-picked guitar sections.
- Each track features extended instrumental passages that emphasize mood over traditional song structure, often repeating melodic themes.
- Vocals are delivered in a harsh style but are layered with melodic elements, creating a contrast between aggression and melancholy.
- Composition 25% of the score
-
7/10
- Craft 20% of the score
-
6/10
- Durability 25% of the score
-
6/10
- Distinctiveness 18% of the score
-
7/10
- Sequencing 12% of the score
-
8/10
the writing — melody, harmony, structure, lyrics
production, performance, arrangement
whether it rewards returning to it
whether it sounds like itself
running order, pacing, length
Known within its scene. Reported but not counted — how far a record travelled describes its reception rather than the record, and a newer release has had less time to travel than an older one.
Moments worth listening for
Where the writing does something specific.
-
Wine From Tears
The imagery shifts from sorrowful reflection to a stark confrontation with mortality creates a powerful emotional pivot in the song.
This transition underscores the thematic tension between beauty and despair, enhancing the listener's connection to the narrative.
Tracklist
Best experienced from track one — press play and let it unfold.
- 1 Flowers of Witchery Abloom 6:13
- 2 Of Darkness and Light 4:55
- 3 A Traveller of Unknown Plains 9:43
- 4 Only Dust Moves… 7:12
- 5 Like a Funereal Veil of Melancholy 11:28
- 6 Wine From Tears 8:48
Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata
Sync your library
Everything you track here works immediately — no account needed. Create one when you want to sync across devices.