This 30 minute EP follows two 2007 demos of black metal ambiance. What we’re promised from the German musician behind it is something raw and aggressive compared to the previous melancholic and atmospheric works.
Sure enough, the five track work starts with Black Metal of the oldest, racing off Darkthrone style into furious and wild territory. A nice shadowy break serves to split it up in the middle. The 1990s sound effect runs into “Schall und Rauch”, another harsh and pain-driven black metal experience which like its predecessor rides along the crest of an evil wave. I was reminded of Arckanum. Evae, the man responsible for this, knows how to slow it down and milk the misery, which is reinforced by the inevitable growls. Vocally and atmospherically, we’re in the region of early Burzum here. Although it is claimed that the melancholy has gone, it is present in the last few bars of this track. Violence reappears on “Traum von einer Jugend”. It’s black, harsh and, to be honest, somewhat nondescript.
The most captivating moments for me were the slower sections. “Erwachen” is sinister and creeping, and accordingly it is atmospheric. The guitar is like a dripping tap. Towards the end it turns into a black metal mediaeval pageant. This theme continues into “…mit dem Sturm”. The faint sound of pipes can be heard. This track is a curious mix of majesty, growls, mediaeval sounds and furious drumming. It drives on relentlessly and stormily. There is a definite sense of direction. Then, like “Geist in Ketten”, there is a reflective passage before it builds up again to an impressive crescendo of overwhelming sadness. The tempo rises and falls again. “… mit dem Sturm” is an interesting track.
On the sleeve, tribute is paid to Nobuo Uematso, the Japanese composer noted for video game music. I didn’t get the significance of that in relation to this work, which follows a tradition of old style, misanthropic-sounding black metal with a limited range of atmospheres. It’s ok but I can’t say that it takes us far forward and odd moments apart, it all washed over me and faded into oblivion.
(4.5 / 10 Andrew Doherty)
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