Returning after a six year hiatus, during which the band was navigating not only COVID but births, deaths, and relocations across four states and two countries, Fórn has released their third album, Repercussions of the Self.  Expanding their sound of funeral sludge, new instrumentals, new guest musicians, and even a new member has been added giving the music a fresh energy.  Guitarist Joey Gonzales explains “We always intended for the band to progress beyond the ‘sludge’ nametag.  We feel that this album accomplishes that mission while still keeping with our classic sound to please the headbangers.”

Lane Shi Otayonii (Elizabeth Colour Wheel) makes her debut as a new member of Fórn contributing vocals and electronics across all six tracks after having worked with the band on past releases as a collaborator.  Her presence on Repercussions of the Self adds a beautifully haunting element and enhances the dynamics of each composition.  Orion Peter (Ilsa) contributes guest vocals to opening track “Pact of Forgetting.”  A very hypnotic and consuming piece, Peter’s deep and guttural vocals give it an extra hit of despair as the volume and complexity continues to ramp up clearing the path for the next tracks.  “Soul Shadow” opens with screeching feedback before diving into deep growls and slow riffs.  Eventually things quiet and slow with an acoustic, reverberating melody and Otayonii’s ethereal vocals ring out.  Everything comes together about midway through, creating a vigorous sound.  The juxtaposition of Chris Pinto’s anguished growls against Otayonii’s airy vocals is alluring.

Playing more with electronics, “Hela’s Choir” an instrumental piece “Anamnesis” incorporates the band’s sound in different ways.  “Hela’s Choir” shows off their vocal array and talents with pulsating electronic beats while “Anamnesis” gives industrial electronic with screeching riffs underneath.  “Regrets Abyss” brings a classic funeral doom sound as it trudges along with a mournful guitar melody ringing through.  Repercussions of the Self closes with “Dreams of the Blood,” one of the longest tracks on the album spanning just over eleven and a half minutes.  This piece begins slowly and atmospherically with softly ringing sounds, some static-y spoken word, and electronic beats before eventually building to add crushing drums, riffs, and growls.  It opens and closes returning to quieter moments before ramping back up.  This may be the most dynamic and interesting song on the album.

As a long time fan of Fórn, I am happy to see the band back in action and Repercussions of the Self does not disappoint as a grand return.  It gave me what I needed from them while still creating something fresh and marking a new chapter.  Their music is evolving and I am excited for the journey.  Even the choice of cover art (a stunning collaborative piece by artists Alexander L. Brown and Devin Toye) represents a change by navigating away from monochromatism and into colorful surrealism.  Repercussions of the Self will be making an appearance on my end of year list and I am sure it will attract old fans as well as new.  Hopefully we will not have to wait as long for the next release from Fórn but as they move uninhibitedly forward, I am eager see what inspires the band next.

 — Angela

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Repercussions of the Self is available now via Persistent Vision Records.  For more information on Fórn, visit their Facebook page.