CUSTOMER ; S. Mills (U.K)

Old Forest is a name which any Black Metal fan should be familiar with. With the first release in 7 years since the debut Into the Old Forest, I was very excited to receive news of the new EP and furthermore was not dissapointed when I received it. Nicely packaged in a 3" mini CD with an accompanying short booklet with the legend of the Devil's Dyke, which is the main theme of the EP. It's nice to see so much thought and effort put into this release from the get go.

From the very first listen I was hooked. Straight forward down to earth British Black Metal. Fair enough, you could liken the style to early 90's scandinavian BM but this CD has something special which I can't put my finger on which makes this release sound very British! The opening intro sent chills down my spine and then the mighty title track the Devil's Dyke is probably one of the most amazing and catchy UKBM tracks I have ever heard. Throughout the CD the music varies from slow, mid to mid-fast tempos while maintaining an eerie atmosphere. The use of overlaid "bendy" guitar riffs and chant like clean vocals keep a fresh and original sound to the music and the use of subtle keyboards raises the asmosphere further.

The result is one the finest modern BM releases to date and I can only sit and wait with baited breath for the follow up to this CD.


CUSTOMER ; M. Brush (U.K)

As a fan of OLD FOREST since the first album, i was both surprised and excited to hear that there was to be a new release from them. Tales of the Sussex Weald; Part I didn't dissapoint either.

First of all the packaging for the cd is excellent. I like the idea of mini-cd's. It's make the release even more unique. Onto the all important music.....
It starts with a very atmospheric track that belongs in a hammer horror film intro. I can imagine walking through a forest a dusk with the nightlife slowly creeping out from their hiding places. A fantastic intro track to set the mood.
The next track, The Devil's Dyke is one of the most evil sounding songs i've heard with the agressive main riff and a great sounding mid section that is quite epic. Kobolds vocals are sounding like he has been eating glass, nails and various other sharp items and spewing the blood in your face..........the vocals are hellish!
Chanctonbury Ring sounds like a thunderous hell beast that comes in with haunting "clean" vocals and a full on attack of brutallity then sweeps its way through what sounds like a nightmare. A great song.
The Bury fades in with a true black metal sound which has a "catchy" keyboard riff which then matures into a very moody dreamscape. This is probably my favourite song on this mini EP.
The final track is a great way to end the EP. Haunting synth sounds that takes the mind to etheral heights, along with whispered narration thats adds an atmosphere of its own.

OLD FOREST have really impressed my with this CD, heres to the next part of the trilogy.


CUSTOMER ; W. Verhappen (NL)

Old Forest's "Tales of the Sussex Weald: Part 1" is the first of three mini albums dedicated to the local folklore of the band's hometown.
Musically this band makes old-school black metal, like it was made in the early 90's. It features fast guitars, thunderous drums, sick vocals and of course the low-fi sound. Of course I must not forget the synths, which give these songs some extra atmosphere.
If you like old-school black metal, go and buy this album! I can't wait for the next part!


CUSTOMER ; D. Goldstein (U.S.A)

I came across Old Forest's video for 'The Devil's Dyke' on youtube, and was instantly hooked. This is how Black Metal was meant to be - atmosphere, menace and over all supreme black metal art !
Old Forest manage to explore their heritage without venturing into questionable territories which is so often the trap of others.
For me, Old Forest are one of the greatest undiscovered gems of the european black metal scene - the best UK band I have heard for sure (and I consider myself a seasoned collector).


CUSTOMER ; J. Mander (U.K.)

I have always been interested in folkore of anywhere, but living in Sussex, this EP is as close to home as you can get.
I am very familiar with the myths and legends spoken about here, and being a fan of Black metal, and metal in general, this is a perfect mix. From eerie start to chilling end, I love this, and can't wait to see what the 'Long Man Of Wilmington' has to offer. I base that last statement purely on the tiny advert and cover of Part 2 on the inside cover.


CUSTOMER ; Andee (U.S.A)

We never thought the day would come, but the return of Old Forest is nigh!!! The first release from these UK black metal anti-legends in 7 years!
The real surprise though is the band surfacing from whatever dark
hellish abyss they retreated to nearly a decade ago, with this three part ep collection, focusing on the myths and legends of the Sussex countryside from which these guys hail.

Sonically very little has changed. The sound is still murky and buzzy, the guitars thick and blurred, plenty of keyboards, pummeling drums. Lots of atmosphere, and haunting ambience, the vocals a demonic croak, the songs ranging from blasting and black, to creepy midtempo dirge. Haunting baritone monk-like chants drift in and out, field recordings of crickets and birds, wind and rustling branches, the songs are packed with super memorable riffs, sing songy “woooo, ooooh” sort of call and response vocals, double kick blasting away, even during some of the more mellow bits, the songs lurch and pound
woozily, peppered with incredibly catchy and unlikely little keyboard figures, the band occasionally launching into some furious blasting, but just as often slipping back into a fuzzy dirge or midtempo pound.And everything, no matter how true or grim, is infused with the cracked black sensibilities of Old Forest, not taking it too seriously, but at the same time taking it all deathly seriously. Dark and buzzy, spaced out and psychedelic, heavy and black, but also slightly cracked and definitely warped. And this is only part one…

LIMITED TO ONLY 222 COPIES. Each packaged in a mini 3” jewel case,
with super striking red and black artwork, and liner notes and lyrics.