It almost always seems to be that when I make a hard, definitive statement where I say that something of anything is “locked-in” on any sort of level, the universe always finds a way to crack its knuckles and deliver to my ears something that practically smacks me across the face to show my ignorance in full display. When I heard the latest creation from Windfaerer, I was confident that we had found the peak of black/folk metal in this year of 2021, but it feels like it’s been at least once a month since then that I’ve been coming across creations that are at least very on par with that massive effort if not outright surpassing it greatly. As if to really put my statement to shame, it’s out of nowhere that Cân Bardd has returned to us yet again with a new creation that really shows us how bountiful the vast forests of black/folk metal have been for us this year.

Immediately, I shouldn’t have to tell you that we’re dealing with a substantial level of quality when we utter the very name of Cân Bardd. Despite only delivering music to us since three years ago, Cân Bardd has quickly garnered and very well-deserved reputation as one of the apex bands in their respective style for all that they bring forth, dare to achieve, and execute with stunning quality as it’s with just their third full-length album that they’ve not only stunned for a consecutive third time in a row but they’ve truly cemented themselves in the modern scene of black/folk metal on a level that cannot be denied. It’s right alongside the likes of Downfall of Nur, Selvans, and Saor that Cân Bardd stands now as it is literally every possible factor of “Devoured By The Oak” that stuns us with raw beauty, ferocity, and love for all things in the wild going along with the absolutely genius level of craftsmanship that’s at play here to make it an exceedingly gorgeous creation that leaves the jaw hanging, the soul wandering the dew-covered forests, and listening to all things that the moss has to tell. The very essence of this album is downright captivating right from the beginning with their being true magic woven into each and every track as Cân Bardd really shows their worth as one of a very select group of black metal bands that manage to bring such natural magic into their music that doesn’t feel forced whatsoever which enforces even more just how effortless it is to get lost in this utterly enchanting album with no desire to leave those trees that talk in all but speech, and it will be by the end of this journey that anyone should be scrambling to re-enter for it’s an experience that we’re lucky to get even once every few years with Cân Bardd quickly becoming one of the go-to names for the entire style with mastery like this being demonstrated at virtually every single turn.

It would be absolutely obtuse of me to say anything insinuating that Cân Bardd had any chance of failing with this release given their track record up to now or even just the very state that the entirety of black and folk metal finds itself in, and any person who would dare say this record shouldn’t be considered one of the band’s crowning achievements should be admitted and checked for any issues. Every single possible aspect about “Devoured By The Oak” is pure, magical art in some of its truest forms, and I truly cannot think of many other names that could deliver such a wondrous creation other than Cân Bardd with their truly gripping magic and talent.

LISTEN to “Devoured By The Oak” on Bandcamp here.

LIKE Cân Bardd on Facebook here.