White Willow - Ignis Fatuus

Review by Chad Foreman

Ignis Fatuus by White Willow: A Genre-Bending Journey That’ll Leave You Spellbound If you’re into music that feels like it was brewed in some misty forest at midnight, Ignis Fatuus by White Willow might just be your next obsession. Released back in 2013, this album is a wild ride through goth rock, prog rock, symphonic madness, and even folk vibes. It’s not every day you find an album that sounds like Pink Floyd jamming with King Crimson while someone plays the bagpipes in the corner—but hey, here we are. Let me cut to the chase: I’ve listened to this record more times than I care to admit, and two tracks have stuck with me like glitter on a festival-goer’s face—“Snowfall” and “Till He Arrives.” Let’s dive into why they’re unforgettable. Snowfall: The Sonic Blizzard You Didn’t Know You Needed Right off the bat, “Snowfall” hits you with this icy yet cozy vibe, like walking through a snowstorm wrapped in a woolen blanket. Audun Kjus’ flute work floats around like frosty air, while Jacob C. Holm-Lupo layers guitars so rich you’d think he stole them from another dimension. There’s this one moment where the Mellotron kicks in—it’s subtle but packs such a punch, like nostalgia bottled up and poured straight into your ears. And don’t even get me started on the vocals; they’re hauntingly beautiful, almost as if the singer’s whispering secrets meant only for you. Listening to this track feels less like hearing a song and more like stepping into a dream (or maybe a nightmare—you decide). Till He Arrives: Prog Rock Meets Folklore Vibes Then there’s “Till He Arrives,” which is basically what would happen if J.R.R. Tolkien wrote a rock opera. This tune has everything: crunchy electric riffs, eerie synths courtesy of Jan Tariq Rahman, and violin lines from Tirill Mohn that could make a grown man cry. What really gets me is how cinematic it feels—the build-up makes you expect a dragon to swoop down any second. The blend of heavy metal undertones with traditional folk instruments like the Northumbrian pipes? Chef’s kiss. Honestly, it’s the kind of song that makes you want to grab a sword, storm a castle, or at least pretend you’re doing something epic while staring out a rainy window. Why This Album Stands Out What sets Ignis Fatuus apart isn’t just its genre-hopping audacity—it’s the sheer craftsmanship behind it. From Thom Ang’s moody artwork to Bob Katz’s mastering wizardry, every detail screams attention to detail. And let’s not forget Ken Golden’s role as executive producer, tying all these threads together like some musical Gandalf. The fact that this Norwegian band managed to release this gem across countries like the US, Japan, Russia, and Norway speaks volumes about its universal appeal. But here’s the kicker: despite all the complexity, the album never feels overdone. Sure, there are moments when you need a flowchart to keep track of who’s playing what instrument (seriously, Jan Tariq Rahman deserves his own wing in the Instrument Hall of Fame), but it never loses its soul. Each track feels alive, like it’s telling you a story without words. Final Thoughts So, should you give Ignis Fatuus a spin? Absolutely. Whether you’re a die-hard prog fan or just someone looking for something different, this album will take you places you didn’t know existed. Just don’t blame me if you start seeing visions of medieval forests and cryptic runes after listening—it’s kinda their thing. Oh, and one last thing: whoever “The Drummer” is, props to them. Their name might be anonymous, but their beats sure aren’t.

Artist: White Willow
Album: Ignis Fatuus

Rock

2010

Rating: 4.08

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Filename: white-willow-ignis-fatuus.zip

MP3 size: 157.5 mb
FLAC size: 1140.3 mb

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Tracks

Track	Duration	Preview
Moonchild (Demo)	3:00
Lord Of Night	7:11
Ingenting	3:14
John Dee's Lament	11:00
Piletreet	1:47
The Withering Of The Boughs	7:14
Lines On An Autumnal Evening	4:52
Cryptomenysis	11:37
I In The Eye (Outtake)	2:13
Signs	2:04
Till He Arrives	3:30
Now In These Fairy Lands	5:26
Snowfall	6:30
Till He Arrives (Demo)	3:27
Det Omvendte Baeger	11:53
Lord Of Night (Live)	6:50
Now In These Fairylands	5:29
Snowfall (Demo)	3:10
Grankvad (Demo)	6:15
Det Omvendte Bæger (Outtake)	11:54
Song	2:03

Video

Till he arrives, White Willow

white willow - lord of night.wmv

White Willow - Snowfall

Images

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Catalog Numbers

LE 1021
TERMOCD012
MAR-9590
PLP 2008
000228

Labels

The Laser's Edge
Termo Records
Marquee
Pancromatic
G. & P. Essential Music

Listen online

kuunnella verkossa
online luisteren
lytte på nettet
online anhören
lyssna på nätet
ouvir online
ascolta in linea
écouter en ligne
escuchar en línea

Formats

CD
Album
Stereo
Reissue
Remastered CD
2 × Vinyl
LP
Remastered
Unofficial Release
Green Transparent
Gatefold

Companies

Role	Company
Phonographic Copyright (p)	The Laser's Edge
Copyright (c)	White Willow
Recorded At	Frydenlund Studio
Mastered At	Digital Domain
Glass Mastered At	Nimbus
Remastered At	The Dude Ranch Studio
Pressed By	Record Industry

Credits

Role	Credit
Artwork	Thom Ang
Design	Thom Ang
Bass	Alexander Engebretsen
Layout	Ruby Lee
Drums	The Drummer
Percussion	The Drummer
Electric Guitar	Jacob C. Holm-Lupo
Acoustic Guitar	Jacob C. Holm-Lupo
E-Bow	Jacob C. Holm-Lupo
Engineer	Jo Wang, Tov Ramstad
Mixed By	Jo Wang, Tov Ramstad
Executive-Producer	Ken Golden
Flute	Audun Kjus
Whistle	Audun Kjus
Bagpipes	Audun Kjus
Bodhrán	Audun Kjus
Vocals	Audun Kjus
Mastered By	Bob Katz
Mellotron	Jan Tariq Rahman
Synthesizer [Minimoog	Jan Tariq Rahman
Micromoog]	Jan Tariq Rahman
Keyboards	Jan Tariq Rahman
Clavinet	Jan Tariq Rahman
Electric Piano	Jan Tariq Rahman
Recorder	Jan Tariq Rahman
Crumhorn	Jan Tariq Rahman
Kantele	Jan Tariq Rahman
Sitar	Jan Tariq Rahman
Guitar	Jan Tariq Rahman
Effects	Jan Tariq Rahman
Electronics	Jan Tariq Rahman
Photography By	Peder K. Müller
Producer	Jacob C. Holm-Lupo, Jan T. Rahman, Jo Wang, Tirill Mohn
Violin	Tirill Mohn
Twelve-String Guitar	Jacob Holm-Lupo (tracks: 1-1 to 1-12)
Classical Guitar	Jacob Holm-Lupo (tracks: 1-1 to 1-12)
Bass Guitar	Alexander Engebretsen (tracks: 1-1 to 1-12)
Northumbrian Pipes	Audun Kjus (tracks: 1-1 to 1-12)
Liner Notes	Sid Smith
Synthesizer [Mini-Moog	Jan Tariq Rahman (tracks: 1-1 to 1-12)
Micro-Moog	Jan Tariq Rahman (tracks: 1-1 to 1-12)
EMI.500 Synthesizer	Jan Tariq Rahman (tracks: 1-1 to 1-12)
Roland D50	Jan Tariq Rahman (tracks: 1-1 to 1-12)
Roland S550	Jan Tariq Rahman (tracks: 1-1 to 1-12)
Korg 01/Wfd]	Jan Tariq Rahman (tracks: 1-1 to 1-12)
Organ	Jan Tariq Rahman (tracks: 1-1 to 1-12)
Synth	Jan Tariq Rahman (tracks: 1-1 to 1-12)
Bass Guitar [Rickenbacker	Jan Tariq Rahman (tracks: 1-1 to 1-12)
Fender	Jan Tariq Rahman (tracks: 1-1 to 1-12)
Westone And Carvin Bass Guitars]	Jan Tariq Rahman (tracks: 1-1 to 1-12)
Remastered By	Jens Petter Nilsen (tracks: 1-1 to 1-12)
Executive Producer	Ken Golden
Synthesizer	Jan Tariq Rahman
Organ [Minimoog	Jan Tariq Rahman
12-String Acoustic Guitar [Yamaha 12 String Acoustic Guitar	Jacob C. Holm-Lupo
Aria 12 String Acoustic]	Jacob C. Holm-Lupo
Electric Guitar [Gibson L6-S Electric	Jacob C. Holm-Lupo
Fender Stratocaster 12 String Electric]	Jacob C. Holm-Lupo
Synthesizer [Mini Moog	Jan Tariq Rahman
MicroMoog]	Jan Tariq Rahman
Synthesizer [EML 500 Synthesizer	Jan Tariq Rahman
Yamaha TG77]	Jan Tariq Rahman
Other	Jan Tariq Rahman
Recorder [Soprano	Jan Tariq Rahman
Tenor]	Jan Tariq Rahman
Alto Recorder	Jan Tariq Rahman
Crumhorn [Soprano	Jan Tariq Rahman
Alto	Jan Tariq Rahman
Tenor	Jan Tariq Rahman
Bass]	Jan Tariq Rahman
Pedalboard	Jan Tariq Rahman
Westone And Carvin 5-String Bass Guitar]	Jan Tariq Rahman

Notes

All songs recorded at Fryndenlund Studio, except track 12 recorded at Chateau Neuf.
Mastered at Digital Domain, NYC.
Made in USA.
© White Willow 1995
℗ The Laser's Edge 1995
Packaged in a standard jewel case with black tray and 8-page parallel fold booklet.
Packaged in a three panel cardboard digisleeve with 12 page booklet.
Ignis Fatuus was originally released by The Laser's Edge in 1995.
All songs recorded between 1993 and 1995 at Frydenlund, except track 1-12 "John Dee's Lament", track 1-10 "Cryptomenysis" and track 1-5 "The Withering of the Boughs", recorded at Chateau Neuf.
Bonus tracks have been left unprocessed, and have simply been transferred direct to disc from the source tapes. No noise reduction has been applied, so some hiss is to be expected.
(Notes on Bonus CD)
track 2-1 "Lord of Night": live performance recorded at "The Variety Theatre", Los Angeles in 1995.
track 2-6 "De Omvendte Baeger", track 2-3 "I in the Eye": recorded during the Ignis Fatuus sessions, but ultimately left off the album.
track 2-7 "Moonchild", track 2-5 "Till He Arrives": recorded for the band's first demo, at Oslo's YMCA studios in 1992.
track 2-4 "Snowfall", track 2-2 "Grankvad": recorded for the band's second demo at Chateau Neuf, Oslo, 1993.
All songs recorded at Fryndenlund Studio, except "John Dee's Lament", recorded at Chateau Neuf.
Made in USA
Made in Japan
Track 13: Bonus track, description follows;
(Det Omvendte Baeger(The Inverted Chalice) was a song we recorded during the Ignis Fatuus sessions, but since the album already was a bit lengthy side we decided to leave it off. It has remained in its semi-finished condition since then. The lyrics are by the Norwegian Romanitic poet J.S. Welhaven. This was a bit of a tribute to Norwegian 70's prog. Høst in particular.
Total playing time: 66'39"
Unofficial release packaged in a jewel case with clear tray and 4-page booklet.
Cat. # is taken from the matrix string.
This version is limited too 100x on green transparent vinyl.

Barcodes

Barcode (Text): 7 63232 10212 5
Barcode (String): 763232102125
Matrix / Runout: 37846AM-02 LE-1021 050704-04
Mould SID Code: IFPI ZN1I
Other (Mould Code): MCOM
Barcode (Scanned): 7041880441227
Barcode (Text): 7 041880 441227
Matrix / Runout (CD 1): 13-06/3566-0007
Matrix / Runout (CD 2 (Bonus CD)): 13-06/3566-0008
Matrix / Runout (Variants 1 & 2 - Mirrored): LE 1021 · :MASTERED: ·BY NIMBUS·
Mould SID Code (Variant 1): IFPI 2413
Mould SID Code (Variant 2): none
Barcode: 2090503508798
Matrix / Runout (Side A): 88007 1A
Matrix / Runout (Side B): 88007 1B
Matrix / Runout (Side C): 88007 1C
Matrix / Runout (Side D): 88007 1D
Matrix / Runout: Essential Music 000228
Mastering SID Code: none

About White Willow

Norwegian symphonic progressive rock band formed in 1993. The band has gone through several incarnations, with the initial lineup consisting of (guitars), (keyboards), (flute), (vocals), (bass guitar) and (drums). In the late 1990s, Jacob Holm-Lupo terminated White Willow "the group" and continued as a solo project before once again building a lineup of musicians. For their fifth album, the lineup changed once again, with most notably new singer joining , , , , and .

Members

Mattias Olsson
Erik Holm
Ketil Vestrum Einarsen
Sigrun Eng
Sylvia Erichsen
Marthe Berger Walthinsen
Johannes Sæbøe
Lars Fredrik Frøislie
Aage Moltke Schou
Jacob Holm-Lupo
Brynjar Dambo
Trude Eidtang
Frode Lia
Danny Young
Jan Tariq Rahman
Audun Kjus
Eldrid Johansen
Tirill Mohn
Sara Trondal
Alexander Engebretsen
Venke Knutson
Sylvia Skjellestad
Ellen Andrea Wang
Per-Christian Svendsen

Interesting fact about Album

Did you know that the 2013 album *Ignis Fatuus* by White Willow is a genre-blending masterpiece? It mixes goth rock, prog rock, folk rock, and even heavy metal, creating a sound that’s both haunting and epic. What’s wild is how many instruments are used—bagpipes, sitars, crumhorns, and more! Jan Tariq Rahman alone plays over a dozen instruments, including rare synths and medieval woodwinds. The album was released in multiple countries like the US, Japan, and Norway, showcasing its global appeal. With tracks ranging from studio recordings to live versions and demos, it’s like getting a behind-the-scenes look at their creative process.

Comments

mslayden1

2025-03-14

This album is one of the finest Progressive Rock releases of the '90s. Norway's White Willow demonstrates deftly, an affinity towards Renaissance infused melodicism, ethereal and atmospheric soundscape, Progish electronic coloring and lyrical poetry in their song writing. Add to this the refined vocals and expert musicianship and you've got a must have release suitable for those listeners that relish the early '70s Prog styling of Genesis, Pete Sinfield era King Crimson and others. Gorgeous, melancholic folkish tracks serve up exquisite combinations of flute, horn, strings, keyboards and classical guitar. A wonderful discovery and essential addition to my Progressive Rock library. While not regarded as a classic, 'Ignis Fatuus' is nonetheless a Gothy, moody masterpiece in spite of a few notable deficiencies. Get your Prog on, yo.