Funerary Call — The Mirror Reversed- Part 1

Black and dark ambient bands seem to be a dime a dozen these days. Low drones and grim music is very evocative, so I can see why. Slap together a few layers of drone, and you're basically there. However, some artists go beyond this simple approach and craft wonderfully haunting and moving pieces that make you want to celebrate the darkness and join a mystical cult. Harlowe Macfarlane, under the moniker Funerary Call, is one of those inspiring us to the dark side. Harlowe is also the man behind Sistrenatus, a very different, but equally as awesome project. Hearing him work so well with different aspects of darkness makes you pretty sure he won't let you down, and The Mirror Reversed- Part 1 is no exception.

The Mirror Reversed- Part 1 is Funerary Call's interpretation of the Tree of Death. One can definitely feel the ancient occult roots of this song/album. After the heavy opening synths break, ghostly, windy moans play host to a fluttering, prehistoric instrument. Can't remember what it's called, but this is the dark version of Art of Primitive Sound. This works really well in contrast with the definitely modern synthesizer that preceded it. We're then reminded of why we're here and brought back to a mystical and sparse low. The Mirror Reversed- Part 1 takes its time with ebbs and flows of deep, swirling drones. One can almost see the smoke pouring out of a brazier during some arcane, mystical rite. This is a different approach than I'm used to with Funerary Call. Not the vivid imagery, but the lighter, more contemplative approach. On Nightside Emanations, it's as if we're witnessing the summoning of a demon. It's dark, low, creepy and powerful. The Mirror Reversed, though, feels more like a guided tour through long forgotten rites and smoke filled woods. This makes sense, too, when considering the subject matter. The journey we're taken on has a lot of down time, and that actually works in its favor. An aural onslaught would diminish what it on display here. I know this sounds like the opposite of how I normally review, but every case is different. Sadly, I have only listened to this album during the day in an office setting, but I'll bet that a darker setting would really make the most of the sounds Harlowe has on display here.
 

Some albums are more about feel and because of that, hard to describe effectively. The Mirror Reversed- Part 1 manages to get into your head and take control of the ship. What it allows you to experience is your personal interpretation of Harlowe's presentation of the Tree of Death. I don't know how many parts there are to this journey, but I'm sure as hell looking forward to the next one.