If you drive beyond the settlements of Northumbria, you’ll find yourself in beautifully bleak countryside studded with ancient ruins. There is a feeling that the past is closer here than in other parts of England, and that the past is often a bloodier place than it was in other parts of England too. I can only assume that Mark Deeks (Winterfylleth), sole mastermind of Arð, feels much the same because Untouched By Fire is a bleakly beautiful homage to Northumbria’s history. It tells the story of its founder, King Oswald, through the medium of doom metal.
The epic guitar melodies and monastic choirs of opener “Cursed To Nothing But Patience” are a highly promising start. The first string and piano interlude kicks in at just the right moment to offer a moment of reflection before the neck-twitching riffs explode again. Then Arð does it all over again. And again. Sometimes the choirs and guitars drive this heavy historical vision for longer with less interludes as with “Hefenfelth” or “He Saw Nine Winters”. Sometimes the songs are quieter, as with the slow burn “Name Bestowed”. It’s all variations on the same idea. Now, some bands stick to the same idea and end up losing impact because it all sounds the same. Arð stick to an idea on Untouched By Fire and create magic. I half fancy I can see the bearded kings in their mead halls and the monks kneeling on cold stone. I certainly find myself nodding my head to the riffs over and over because this isn’t just historical tribute. It’s bloody good doom metal too, powerful and insistent. As the organ driven dirge of “Casket of Dust” reaches its climax and the end of Untouched By Fire, I find myself considering starting it all over again.
It’s not just that it’s that good, it’s that different and refreshing too. There’s a short list of bands who can combine multiple elements to create metal that feels seamlessly ancient, modern, and awe-inspiring. Think Moonsorrow, think Árstíðir Lífsins. With Untouched By Fire, Arð have shown they belong in that company. It took several listens to fully appreciate but now I have, I see this is not only my first album of the year contender, but also exactly the sort of tribute that the warrior-kings of old must have longed for.
