REVIEW: Deciduous Forest - Fields of Yore

Starting a one-man project can be intimidating, but not for the multi-instrumentalist and composer Snjór, who started Deciduous Forest as their creative vessel. Originally from Brisbane in Australia, the artist guides listeners on an atmospheric journey through memory, emotion and myth.

Their album Fields of Yore consists of deeply captivating immersive soundscapes, blended with elements from atmospheric black metal, neofolk, and cinematic ambient, introducing listeners to their world of music and folklore. Featuring only five tracks, the album is short, yet memorable, and often featuring long build-ups, such as the ones in 'The Formless Dark' and 'Ghost of Lies', alternating between mumbling bass, angry drums and talkative synths. Complimented by Snjór’s pleading-like screams, the tracks are sure to catch one’s attention immediately.

Not only the songs rely on these grand introductions, but they are also gradually get longer, with the self-titled 'Fields of Yore' and 'Ages Past' being the longest ones, with 'Ages Past' impressively having over thirteen minutes in length. Both songs are bringing in story-like energy, with an extensive mix of synths, drums and guitars, as we can see throughout the whole album. Even when the lyrics are not clearly audible, the listeners can pinpoint the singer's emotions in their voice. Being able to execute such an extensive track without a flaw is a skill that is not often mastered by many musicians, and it allows the expertise of Deciduous Forest to shine.

As the album progresses further, the audience may find themselves immersed in audio, they can resonate with emotionally and spiritually, and that exactly happens in 'Fields of Yore'. The part starts off very subtle at first, only with a guitar and flutes, but keeps gradually expanding into an explosion of instruments and sounds, evoking many different feelings within the listeners, especially when the bridge expands into a massive mixture of drums, synths, guitars and bass. Being one of the most powerful moments in the album, it does leave a mark on anyone, who dares to listen to the whole piece.

The album is finished off with a shorter song, 'Anemoia', but that does not mean that it is any shorter of the artist’s work. Being purely instrumental, the track once again features very well suited synthesis, drums and guitars, creating very emotional ending to an album, that has taken the listeners on a rollercoaster of emotions and feelings.

Fields of Yore is an ambitious release of an ambitious artist, that has surpassed all the expectations. Although some of the lyrics are not audible, which takes away from some of the experience as the listeners are not always able to understand the full meaning of the song, it does not stop anyone from fully acknowledging the craftsmanship Deciduous Forest put into their songs. It is rare to be able to fully awake the listener’s emotions while keeping their attention, but this release fully outdone itself. An absolute must listen to for anyone who is a fan of atmospheric, almost symphonic-like soundscapes, that are fully capable of pulling the audience in.

Score: 8/10

Fields of Yore was released on June 23rd 2025 via Gutter Prince Cabal.

Words: Katerina Stepanikova

Photos: Deciduous Forest