i've given several spins nowmy verdict is this is more a mix of their styles
i like it coz it grew on me.
mantle is folkish, but what stands out is the lyrics, the story which flows in it. the search for god in pagan elements. nothing epic than that.
"in the shadow of our pale companion" is epic
man, I'm listening to black lake right now
and its giving me goosebumps, they shouldn't sing about curse sticks and runes with this sad music...some whining about solitude and suicide is more likely to fit right in
and those tortured vocals shouldn't go to waste..
i like it coz it grew on me.
for now