ORNE/THE CONJURATION BY THE FIRE (Black Widow)

ORNE/THE CONJURATION BY THE FIRE (Black Widow) 2006

I just never got round to checking this band out until now.All the signs were there and the stars were aligned but did I take heed? no I did not! and for that alone I shall be in eternal shame as this record
is without doubt a classic of it's or any kind.
For anyone not in the know (besides me!) this is the band started by Peter Vicar from true doom legends
REVEREND BIZARRE in the late 90's and apparently are still going now (where's the new album? anyone
knows of it's whereabouts let me know!) though this is their only full length and the only release to feature
all three members of the mighty Reverend (Albert Witchfinder on vocals in fine melodramatic form and
Earl of Void (drums) amusingly under the name Jay lovely!!).

Book ended in suitably dramatic fashion by a spoken word performance from Pat Walker from Brit doomeisters WARNING 'Conjuration by the fire' is a treasure trove of deftly progressive, emotive compositions of somber timbre.From 'Anton's hypnotic medieval 'Albatross' to 'Frontline Dreams'
swelling hammond and gentle flute passages (the real star of this particular show is Jussi Lisko who's
Jazzy alto sax and flute add great colour to the whole affair) anyone hankering for some die hard pure doom will be disappointed as this is more BLACK WIDOW than BLACK SABBATH.
Albert Witchfinder is in fine voice here with his overwrought evocation of romantic pastoralism and solitude giving drama to album highlights 'Island of Joy' with it's delicate tempestuous churn and the excellent 'Opening by watchtower' which is COMUS thrown in said watchtower and left to reflect on his misfortune.
Where this album could have been a ponderous folly the lightness of touch and mood shifts plus the overall arcane feel make this an essential listen for those with more esoteric tastes.

FIN