Review: Seven Rivers Of Fire - 'Way Of The Pilgrim' (Dub Cthonic / Ramble Records)

Allow me to tell you a tale:

"William Randles’ car was found parked at the edge of the K____ Nature Reserve in the early hours of September 30th by a passer-by who noticed the driver's door had been left open.
A local resident later told investigators that they had seen two people exit the vehicle and enter the woods at around 4:00AM. Another local who had woken up early to go jogging contradicted this statement placing the time of arrival some 40 minutes later and swearing that only one person had exited the vehicle from the passenger door. Nobody who provided statements remembered the driver’s door having been left open.
No trace of William Randles has ever been found. A search party found an indecipherable symbol carved into a tree near his car, but investigators thought little of it. His apartment offered no explanation either when searched. No signs of struggle. No sign that he had left in distress or in a hurry.
The only thing investigators found out of the ordinary was a handwritten note left on the kitchen table that read: They are calling // exodus // awaken // the passenger // from the depths // into the woods // ascend // the fall"

Fret ye not dear reader, William Randles is alive and well for William Randles IS Seven Rivers Of Fire and responsible for this quite stunning album.

I first stumbled upon SROF last year whilst on one of my trawls through the internet looking for some ace sounds and boy, did I ever find some! When I heard 'Wilderness' (you can find it on the SROF bandcamp page here) and being a sucker for some good ol' American Primitive-esque fingerpicking, I was blown away. 'Way Of The Pilgrim', however, is an even better album!

'Way Of The Pilgrim' is much more than a fingerpicking album though. Yes, there are passages of sublime guitar work but Randles utilises harmonium, sound bowls and spectral voices to create an eerie and yet devotional vibe. Once you throw into the mix field recordings, static filled radio transmissions and even Randles "snoring and the wheezing of [his] soon to be mother in law recorded while she was sick." you have something so immersive, so atmospheric it draws you in and keeps you transfixed for its entirety. I think what is so impressive though is that Randles has proved that he is not only a consumate musician but a creative artist capable of playing with moods and atmospheres. The opening passages of guitarwork that builds to a furious climax is positively invigorating but that segues into a more sombre passage of harmonium and voices that is darkly mournful. The shamanic drums of side 2 complete with chanting feels like some ancient ritual is being invoked but again this segues neatly into a beautiful passage of piano led music that, while retaining the unearthly voices, is quietly optimistic and brings the album to a very satisfying conclusion.

'Way Of the Pilgrim' really is quite the album and one that will get some serious rotation in these parts. It is released 30th September digitally and on cassette by Dub Cthonic and on CD in November by Ramble Records. Needless to say I think, nay, I know you need this in your life!



Links:

Seven Rivers Of Fire Bandcamp

Seven Rivers Of Fire Facebook

Seven Rivers Of Fire Instagram

Dub Cthonic Bandcamp

Ramble Records Bandcamp