Metal used to be fun. Well, it still is. But it also used to be. There didn’t used to be a huge online swath of fans that get upset if people smile while listening to a metal record or decide to indulge in something that makes them feel something other than existential dread. Is that too much to ask? 

Medieval black metal crushers Fell Omen, a project helmed by Spider of Pnyx, takes its art seriously, but you also can tell there’s a shit ton of joy infused into the punk and chaos on his records. “Caelid Dog Summer,” a reference to Elden Ring, follows in a similar path to “Invaded By a Dark Spirit,” which was released in February. It feels like you should pick up an ax, chainmail, a horse, and whatever else you need to protect the castle from an oncoming invasion. That escapism is so much fun in which to indulge, and these songs can help you forget, for a little while, the chaos outside your door.

“Starscourge Phase One & Phase Two” starts with keys glowing and some great riffs, guitars blazing and chugging as melodies catch fire. Howls finally tear in later, the leads turning molten and crushing, weirdness melting into time. “Northern Lights Bomb” opens with commentators calling wrestling action (fitting for our title) and the power bursts in, raw howls mangling, storms lurking in the distance. Clean playing wipes your face clean before sootiness and vibrant punk energy take over, the leads heating dangerously, then a warm flow peaking before the end comes swiftly. “The Horrors Persist But so Does Steel” begins amid a thunderstorm, bells clanging before the track launches in full, tearing open the senses. Speedy guitars and washed-out wails unite, gang-style shouts rouse, and guitars unload, fully engulfing everything in flames, ending this spirited, short blast.

“Born to Siege” rambles in, feeling catchy and stomping, screaming melting metal swords. A fiery energy launches as soloing erupts, and beastly screams go for the jugular, thick melodies dragging everything to hell. “Poise on Rune” starts with chants before blistering, the punk bravado sending blood racing through your veins, the guitars going off viciously. Folk-infused fires are stoked while the pace keeps bubbling, wild sax notes charge the air, and everything comes to a smoking end. The title track is a quick one with wordless chants, buzzing hurdy gurdy, and the sense you can smell smoke rising over village walls. Closer “The Fire Is Still Warm” has guitars burning, howls scarring, and sax barreling through gates, the screams punishing as the playing squeezes tighter. Things turn a strange combo of breezy and molten while the pace slows and claws, bruising as it expires.

“Caelid Dog Summer” is plenty heavy and solidly dangerous, but it’s also so goddamn much fun that you might realize you’re smiling through your execution. Spider of Pnyx has a stranglehold on his style, and that is so apparent on this album that’s full of chicanery, fire, and confidence. It might feel like you should be defending the castle as these gems assault your ears, which should help you bask in majesty and might equally.

For more on the band, go here: https://fellomen.bandcamp.com/

To buy the album, go here: https://fellomen.bandcamp.com/album/caelid-dog-summer

For more on the label, go here: https://truecultrecords.bandcamp.com/