An End Held Dear by Fulaing is a cassingle, as the cool kids call it, and it is quite unlike anything I’ve heard in a long while. It’s part Folk, part Doom, part Goth, and part pure Black Metal and it should be a recipe that doesn’t work, at all, but somehow – and I have zero bloody idea how – Fulaing not only pulls it it off, in doing so they seem to create an entire whole new genre for themselves, which I will be referring to as Black Goth Folk Doom if anyone wants to quote me.

It’s almost impossible to explain just what the two tracks on offer sound like, as I feel that by doing so I won’t be able to so then justice, but, and for example, the opening and title track, An End Held Dear is a haunting and beautiful piece of folk music, that is full of lush, yet sad, chords and dreamlike string sections, right up until about two minutes in when it goes bat shit crazy and becomes screaming Black Metal.

The sudden change in musical styles should – and in another bands hands would – be jarring and an utter mess, but Fulaing take the transition in their stride so seamlessly that it works to perfection.

The second track on offer, Like Deserts Dream of Rain, repeats the trick, but not in the same way as Fulaing are no simple one trick pony. Yes, once again they paint a musical landscape that will follow you into your sleep, but it has an almost demonic voice talking in a language that is alien in construct, and when the vocals kick in they are the tortured screams and howls of a tormented soul.

An End Held Dear is a brilliant record. It is proper, and if this is the sign of things to come then I cannot wait for Fulaing’s full length effort to see the light of day. Mark my words and mark this day, Fulaing have a bright future ahead of them.

Head on over to the Fulaing Bandcamp page and check out An End Held Dear for yourself.