Asenheim is a black metal band from Germany, who formed in 2004. Their latest release, “Wolkenbrecher,” is their 9th full-length album; they have also released eight demos, five EPs, a split, and a boxed set.
This is my first experience with Asenheim’s brand of black metal; there sound is describe as an “old-school form of pagan black metal.” Honestly, that could mean anything so I really wasn’t sure what I would be hearing!
What I have heard is a fantastic black metal album with its own style. The band certainly has a grasp on old-school black metal, right down to the production. It’s a little raw and quiet on the volume side of the production but I think that works in the album’s favor. The mix is really good—everything can be heard clearly and that’s good because there are a lot of details to this music.
It’s very engaging as well and will take multiple listens to catch everything. That’s perfect because the songs are well-written enough to where multiple listens are a pleasure. “Wolkenbrecher,” reminds me of the band Menhir a lot, which is a compliment in my opinion for both bands.
It, oftentimes, has a fast paced tempo although there are more than enough parts where the songs slow and let the atmosphere breathe. The use of keyboards is fantastic—they are truly part of the songs and, where they removed it would totally change the music. However, they aren’t overpowering and work wonderfully with the other instruments.
The intro song, “Einklang - Blut & Eisen,” is a short but fantastic set up that displays many of the album’s elements, specifically their use of melody.
It leads into the first full song, “Der Harnischmacher,” and it caught my attention from the first note. The lead guitar plays hypnotic notes against the heavy backdrop of the rhythm and bass. Subtle keys lace the atmosphere just before the song speeds up. The vocals are blackened snarls and deep growls, perfect for the style. As the middle approaches, the keys lay down a passage that feels warm and spacious. The ending finds the band swirling together melodic leads and bass, drums, and blackened screams.
“Mein Königreich,” opens with clean vocals/chants and clean instrumentation. The build up is great, each instrument offering a new layer that pushes the song forward even while honoring what came before. The song is a strong showcase for the albums overall sound and masterfully shows how adept the band is at being abrasive yet in tune with natural, melodic side.
The middle part of the song is harrowing and pure underground black metal but what follows it is a beautiful passage of more ethereal cleans and keys. It’s amazing and doesn’t sound out of place but the band pushes back towards black metal for the song's ending.
The title track is one of the best on the album, as it well should be. The start of it is gentle, clean ones dripping down like early morning dew off lush, green leaves. The distortion kicks in, offering a bleak contrast to the folk-ish atmosphere. The bass is wonderfully melodic, its own little world under a vast ocean. The song briefly thrives on liminal spaces at the halfway mark, the passage sandwiched between heavier segments although, once again, everything flows smooth and natural.
The following song, “Die kalte Festung,” begins gentle as well but more detailed and full. The lead guitar weaves into the fabric, bringing the full band in. The vocals are particularly biting, I like the contrast between them and the more laid-back approach of the song. The drums kick up the intensity in the second half—the album never forgets to remind me it’s black metal.
The final song, “Räuberlied,” truly embraces the folk elements but never forgets the groove and melodic bass. The cadence is jaunty, catchy, and sort of like a sea chanty in a way. This song is both heavy and introspective—a solid way to end the album.
Asenheim’s “Wolkenbrecher,” is detailed, melodic adventure that still manages to pull off the abrasive, underground feel that black metal is known for. It’s quite the adventurous journey through melodic fields that are shadowed by darkened skies.
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