“And it is with all that being said; this story is not written out of despair, but out of hope. For if you are to ever read these pages, it means we won. As there is no way to read them without the Light…”
With these lines closing the opening “Prelude” of the tracklist, an astonishingly beautiful musical journey begins, wrapped in an exquisite, mystical vintage aura of finely crafted and alluring heavy rock.
This is the debut of the Spaniards FABLE, a magical 22-minute EP titled “Long Hath the Night Dwelt”.
The band consists of Jose Soler (drums, guitars) and Miguel M. Menárguez (bass), familiar names from past and current bands as bandmates (CHANTRICE, ex-RAGING FIRE), alongside vocalist Alberto de Lara (ex-WAR DOGS).
Initially, FABLE started as a solo project of Jose Soler, drawing primary influence from the sounds of the ’70s and ’80s, with reference points such as THIN LIZZY, WHITESNAKE, PAGAN ALTAR, ASHBURY, and HÄLLAS, while incorporating elements borrowed from old-school US metal – I would also add WISHBONE ASH, TANITH, WYTCH HAZEL, and PHANTOM SPELL, where Jose Soler himself has been part of the live line-up, once again alongside Miguel M. Menárguez.
Ultimately, the two already acquainted members forged a bond within this new formation as well, embarking on a shared creative path together with Alberto de Lara.
The result?
An effortless, enviable retro sound, expressed through sweet, folk rock-tinged compositions that nevertheless carry the necessary weight and a wealth of exquisite guitar ideas. A nostalgic mood and adventurous musical storytelling without tiresome excess, and vocals that perfectly serve the old-school fantasy atmosphere of the overarching sword-and-sorcery concept, which, notably, extends meaningfully into the present day – simultaneously old-fashioned yet strikingly relevant.
Personally, the lyrics—imbued with a rebellious and insurgent spirit, carrying a clear message against authoritarian tyranny—won me over and granted me an even deeper connection with this first offering by FABLE.
It is worth noting that “Long Hath the Night Dwelt” had already been released in December 2025, independently, in just 50 cassette copies—utterly faithful to the underground philosophy that defines it. Thankfully, Dying Victims Productions did not allow it to fade into obscurity, and a few months later presented it to us as an official release.
On their debut, FABLE make a striking impression, both through their performance and the songwriting itself.
Following the fitting, bard-like introduction, the rhythmic and highly melodic “The Owl” arrives, immediately setting the tone for the band’s musical identity, exuding melancholy through a masterful, honeyed sound. “The Oak” that follows is somewhat fiercer, without losing its lyrical essence for even a moment. Outstanding work from the guitar duo and an impressively balanced vocal performance!
The truly beautiful instrumental “The Funeral – March to the Black Mountain” leads us into the epic six-minute “The Moon”, perhaps the standout track of the EP, which left me utterly spellbound, as if under a hypnotic incantation!
Kudos to FABLE—they show tremendous promise for the future, having already set the bar incredibly high! If you have a love for vintage heavy rock, know that this is far from a lukewarm, uninspired rehash of the sound, but rather a noteworthy work that you should by no means overlook.
The wonderful artwork is by Álex Bustillo.
“Long Hath the Night Dwelt” will be released on May 22nd on CD and LP by Dying Victims Productions.
Check the discussion about the album in our forum pages.
You can pre-order both the CD and the LP here.
