Ελληνικά
Last Updated on 11:01 PM by Nikos Nakos
Genre: Black Metal
Country: Finland
Label: Feuer Publications
Year: 2017
Charnel Winds released their debut album “Der Teufelsbund” in 2011 and it was a fairly good attempt, it was the record that introduced the band to more listeners back then. With an ounce of experimentation, I have no doubt it might have been memorable for at least some of the fans out there. The years that followed were a bit silent, as we received an EP in 2013 and then nothing, until this second full length album came along.
The EP they released in 2013 with a title “Sound of Satan’s Voice” contained four tracks that are all featured in the new album as well, so we can say that only three out of the seven tracks of “Verschränkung” are actually new material by the band. Right of the bat, my inner self would have expected more work from a new album of any kind, but I would excuse it if it was at least decent. However, Charnel Winds have taken a very odd turn towards some kind of middle-paced black’n’roll that doesn’t really reach that far. At all.
Mixed feelings arise when listening to the record, as at times shows legit musicality while in some parts, it sounds as if the band weren’t even trying. The same style of vocals as in the first album is executed, it has some shrieked vocals and a few screaming parts, as well as a kind of unconvincing cleans. Tracks like “Avitchi Blues” or “Beyond Null Reality” are vitiated, failing not only in the guitar lines and drums, but the vocals as well. The melodies have no vision, they consist mostly of dull lines and sorry, but a fast solo or a bit shredding in the guitar won’t save it. Charnel Winds aim for an avantgarde, paranoid atmosphere but miss and I think it would be wiser to leave this particular field for DHG.
On the other hand, “Rebellion” is a really good track and features faster riffs, more violent singing and the change of parts feels natural, unlike the playing style of the other tracks. It’s the only track in “Verschränkung” I would listen to again as the rest are more random and less interesting. The band plays in peculiar rhythms, mostly slow, with lot’s of clean vocals but the whole thing is not coherent and doesn’t stand well on it’s feet. The opening track “Devouring the Cursed Fruits of Tartaros” is based on a couple of groovy riffs but loses power towards the end and fits better as a closing album track instead of an introduction. It doesn’t urge you to keep listening.
I have serious objections about the production of the album. It has washed out all the strength the tracks might have given out and I don’t see why the sound should be that kind of clean, as it steals the record it’s power even from the few, more intense moments. In fact, when listening to the tracks of the EP, one wonders if they are in fact the same tracks, as the sound of the EP was more harsh and the exact same tracks actually sounded more effective there. Even though “Verschränkung” doesn’t have a bad sound at all, it comes off a bit flat and it feels like some potential was lost in the studio.
Personally, I don’t think Charnel Winds achieved what they wanted with their new album. It is indeed unconventional and will appeal to fans with a more bizarre taste, yet “Verschränkung” is as a whole, a weak record not because it lacks ideas, but because the ideas were falsely fused together. It also has some moments that are just bad. The drums don’t have any power. I recommend a couple of tracks like “Rebellion” or even “The Heralding” if you have the patience, but there are riffs and vocals all over the album that will make you laugh. I don’t know what went wrong but I believe Charnel Winds can do better.
2/6
