I can only imagine the things that go on in the woods of Colorado in the depths of winter. I think of dilapidated cabins, bearded men eating meat off the bone. No showers. Think Unabomber, with more snow. Only at the ritzier locales is there snowboarding.

After listening to Wovenhand's album, Mosaic, I'm now even more certain that what I imaged is most certainly true. Recorded in the remote woods of Elktooth, Colorado, (tyfc: well, the album was actually recorded at Robert Ferbrache's Studio Absinthe in suburban Denver) the album is a collection of pounding tribal drums, deep-throated chants and plenty of dark imagery. It brings to mind me in loin clothes, eating meat raw, screaming at the moon god, and raging on some peyote while the snow falls and falls.

A new project by David Eugene Edwards from 16 Horsepower, Wovenhand's Mosaic is deep and enthralling, forceful and meek, sinister and kind. It beckons the listener in its lair, and what comes after that, no one can be sure.

The album is earthy for sure. And very ominous. But this isn't the type of album you drop in the stereo for a dance party. This is music to slaughter deer too.

The album's lyrics typically follow a biblical bent. In Whistling Girl, Edwards sings of a godly devotion, entreating “kiss the son.” The song Twigs references Saint Ambrose's 4th chant, and everything else is grumbled so sullenly that it could all have come from a century ago.

That's not to say that certain points of the album aren't somewhat musical. Deerskin Doll comes off as a Nick Cave-esque b-side, full of soulful piano and love-disappeared lyrics.

If you're into chanting, or need background music to your next bloodletting, the album is worth checking out. Besides that, leave this for your next trip into the woods.