Ελληνικά
Last Updated on 06:50 PM by Lilliana Tseka
Genre: Experimental Black Metal
Country: Germany
Label: I, Voidhanger Records
Year: 2015
It is always an awkward moment when you realise that you know nothing about a band which has been discographically extremely active (7 full-lengths and many more demo, split, and EP releases) for the past 15 years. The German band in question is Todesstoss, which exists since 2000, and performs an experimental and chaotic form of black metal. This year’s “Hirngemeer”, released through I, Voidhanger Records, was my first contact with them, and it seems that the album surprised me in a positive way.
Todesstoss’ music is quite cranky, due to its experimental nature, which is evident in its structuring, as well as in the instrumentalisation. “Cranky” walks here hand-in-hand with “stifling”, which is materialised in the mechanized essence diffused throughout the album, while the weird instrumental tempos go a long way towards reinforcing both terms. A dark sense of melody is also apparent, expressed through dark-rock guitar themes, which fill many gaps of the tight music canvas. Pure black metal riffs (of a monolithic hue) are not absent; their moments of appearance are perhaps the album’s highlights, them being furious and majestic. The album as a whole balances between theatrical ritual (especially accented via paranoid vocals of shifting hue) and industrial procession (the album’s atmosphere is akin to that of a schizophrenic wandering through derelict modernist plazas). The promo note, correctly refers to Burzum, Bethlehem and Urfaust as influences of the band. Theatricality and despair from one end to the other. The album’s weak point concerns its tracks’ huge duration (2 of them are 30 minutes each, more or less), which, due to the songs’ hypnotic nature, as well as their strange articulation, can weaken the listener’s attention.
“Hirngemeer” is a meticulous performance, a surrealistic journey through Hell’s ruined industries. Highly recommended for friends of Bethlehem and Urfaust, while more traditional black metallers are warned to proceed with caution.
Highlight: Narbenkaefig
