A little less than two years after debut full length Вечное (Vechnoye), Russian Vladimir Frith returns with his solo project Рожь, also known in its English denomination as Rye; the particular formula based on a skilful mixture of ambient, post metal and doom finds in Всё (Vso) further developments in the direction of a very refined and polished sound, even in the most extreme passages that often border on atmospheric black metal. The balance between the parts makes the difference, along with a compositional effort that is by no means manneristic but rather functional in evoking different and sometimes conflicting sensations. If the only flaw in the album can be found in a vocal that is relegated to the background by too low volumes (but this could also be a choice of the Karelian musician), it is albeit true that the work is based on an instrumental impact that stands abundantly on its own, thanks to an evident compositional talent that the good Vladimir develops for about three quarters of an hour along five tracks plus a brief ambient interlude; the lyrics themselves are pervaded by a significant and profound spirituality that blends perfectly with a sonic coating of great evocative potential, exalted especially in the tracks closest to ritualistic doom (the concluding Аминь is emblematic in this sense). Despite the fact that it is not an easy listen, Всё in my opinion consecrates Рожь as one of the best realities of the moment among those that attempt to produce melancholic notes drawing on different sub-genres.

2023 – Reflection Nebula / Snowslow Records