Fen

Fen is a UK black metal group from London, active since 2006. The band is associated with atmospheric black metal, black metal, blackgaze, folk metal, metal and post-metal, and its music also draws on post-rock and folk. It presents itself as inspired by the bleak and esoteric landscapes of Eastern England, and uses themes of loss, sorrow, exaltation and ancient pride.

History

Fen forms in early 2006 with Grungyn, Theutus and The Watcher. In 2007, Draugluin joins on keyboards. In early 2010, Draugluin is replaced by Æðelwalh, who leaves in 2011, and Theutus is also replaced that same year by Derwydd. The listed members include Draugluin, Theutus, Grungyn, The Watcher, Æðelwalh, Paul Westwood and Pete Aplin.

Releases

The band releases one EP, Ancient Sorrow (2007), and a demo, Onset of Winter (2008). Its studio albums are The Malediction Fields (2009), Epoch (2011), Dustwalker (2013), Carrion Skies (2014), Winter (2017) and The Dead Light (2019). Fen also releases the split Towards the Shores of the End with De Arma in 2011.

Style

The band is described as progressive black metal, and its sound combines atmospheric black metal, post-rock and folk elements. The broader genre listing also places it within blackgaze and post-metal.

Earlier discography details

Another sequence of Fen releases includes Surgical Transfusion of Molting Sensory Reflections (2000), Heron Leg (2003), Congenital Fixation (2006), Trails out of Gloom (2010) and Of Losing Interest (2012). These recordings are linked to an earlier version of the project and show a development from experimental and concept-based material into later progressive metal forms.

Other activity

Fen opens for Blackfield at Vancouver’s Rickshaw Theatre in May 2011. The release Trails out of Gloom appears on the California-based label Ripple Music, and it receives attention in Classic Rock magazine and a 16/16 review from Progression magazine.