I'm not a huge demo fan, but when something this good comes along, I feel obligated to let you, the loyal MetalReview readers, know about it. This Chicago-based two-piece band is onto something special. From the artwork, the lyrics, the presentation, and the ability to download this entire EP and its artwork from their website, displays a rare sense of dedication & talent.
The Living Fields play an epic doom, thrash, black/war metal that incorporates violins, flutes, blackened screams, and King Diamond screeches. For a demo - and a US one at that - The Living Fields sound very Scandinavian with epic melodic guitars and some galloping riffage along with some more doom-based structures - the variety is never confused or muddled but instead plays together to produce a heroic epic ambience that few (if any US acts can match). The only comparable bands that spring to mind are Epoch of Unlight, 3 Inches of Blood and While Heaven Wept. The string arrangements add a real medieval/pagan flair to the sound, and their utilization for the rollicking A Leveling Spirit is superbly implemented.
The doom sound comes across for the demo title track, as flutes back the sober paced track and its lethargic gait, but it still retains a folky/pagan ambience within its trudging lope. Although the 7-minute track picks up the pace a little, it's still most certainly a US-styled doom based track done well, but not as enthralling as the band's quicker war-like take on metal.
The strange instrumental Dim Prospects containing quotes from Noam Chomsky and Ward Churchill decries the class war and societal issues, and even with the violin, doesn't seem to fit in with the band's overall visage, but seems geared towards the band conveying a personal message.
However, things get back on track for Empires Fall, which delivers an intoxicating blend of epic, laid back war/doom metal littered with fine violin programming. The Living Fields are on to something pretty special here with a unique sound, that might give them problems signing with a US label, as their sound seems to fit the European mindset better where violins and flutes are common place in metal. Still, I'd look for this band to make some noise as soon as they get a record deal.
Very, very promising.
Erik Thomas, MetalReview.com