Year: Winter 2019
Total Time: 31:18
Label: Self-financed

THE GRAY FOREST, is a Neo Folk, Dark Folk, Dark Ambient, Instrumental band from Santiago, Chile. The band, newly formed in this line up, consists of Juan Manuel – composer, guitar and vocals, Juan Ignacio – drums, Gabriela – vocals and chorus and Anaís – cello.

Their first work, the self-titled EP “The Gray Forest”, is inspired by human interaction with nature and the environment, expressing the emotions that nature causes in man and the reflection on human attitude to what surrounds him. The lyrics, where they exist, since the band prefers more choral parts or purely instrumental expressions, even though in Chilean Spanish, combined with the atmosphere, they manage to get their message across.

Musically, the six-track EP, travels on Ambient trails, with a lot of melody combined with the sounds of nature. Although Dark Ambient, its relationship to more Black Metal influences is rather superficial, but in some respects it may be reminiscent of ALCEST, perhaps AGALLOCH. You will find no wild spots, no quick outbursts, but harmony and calm melodic passages. A better production, perhaps, would had further emphasized the whole set the band wants to present.

So, beautiful compositions, almost trippy, with very nice tunes and beautiful choruses by Gabriela which, on the whole, will keep your interest, making you want to listen to the LP already prepared by THE GRAY FOREST, who show that they have something good to tell us, through their promising EP.

Rating: 7/10
Editor: Fanouris Exintavelonis
Related Link: THE GRAY FOREST – Bandcamp Page