Title: FFO (For Fans Of): Jethro Tull, Weather Report, Thelonious Monk, John Moulder, Charles Lloyd New Quartet

‘Scenes From the Dark Ages’ is the imagined soundtrack of medieval life. To the uninitiated, the vibe and groove of this record will conjure more images of smoky underground jazz clubs than peasants in a sleepy village. However, suppose you pay attention to the melodies and instrumentation without distraction from the drums, electric guitar, and bass. In that case, the feudal folk backbone reveals itself. A metalhead’s stereotypical perception of medieval times is inquisition, torture, invasion, and court intrigue. In reality, most days in a small village were peaceful times spent around neighbors, family, and nature. That serene atmosphere is captured with stunning grace by Yelena Eckemoff’s compositions. The second part of this double album picks up the pace with songs about knights and battles. Still, these moods are more upbeat and adventurous than a typical metalhead might expect. Now that I’ve digested this epic, I feel chipper, fulfilled, and recharged to return to some gurgling death metal.

Quote: “serene atmosphere is captured with stunning grace by Yelena Eckemoff’s compositions”

About Jon Barbas:
Sommelier of extreme metal and blue-collar philosopher. Host of the Heavy Metal Philosophy Podcast.