Released on: 9th February 2024
The flute is probably the most metal instrument that is not commonly associated with heavy metal. It goes far back. Back to the ninteen-hundreds. It was the late nineteen-sixties when British musician Ian Anderson took Jethro Tull to new heights. Introducing the world to what would become a fusion of rock, folk and classical music. Ember Belladonna may not have taken influence from the brilliant Tull, but she does share two out of three genres, and that ain’t bad.
The Grove is Kramer-Rodger’s (Ember Belladonna) first album. Having only previously released a couple of singles at the turn of the twenties. And, for the most part plays to her strengths as a flautist. If you have got it flaut-it. [You are not funny; apologies – Ed]
Does it rock? Yes. For the most part. The extreme metal influences are the weakest link here. Carried like a truck on a beefcakes’ nipples– while the handbrake is on. As for leads, the flute gives whimsy to her compositions. An ethereal voice amidst the white noise landscape of proper metal. Which is, of course, a welcome addition. But, the force is really with the naturalistic elements here. With Kramer-Rodgers having a mystifying command of the air.
Has Ember Belladonna successfully transposed flute into the metal? We-ell, it crops up every once and a while regardless. Which is not to say Ember Belladonnas’ compositions do not have merit with metal. In their otherwordliness they certainly do. But, the neo-folk component is what demands attention.
6/10
