ALBUM REVIEW: Grabunhold – Heldentod

Following their superb “Unter Dem Banner Der Toten” mini-album, German Black Metal stalwarts GRABUNHOLD return with their debut full-length opus. Out via Iron Bonehead Productions on January 22nd.

Sampling of rain and thunderstorms lead into melancholy guitar passages with a beautifully depressive feeling. This sombre beginning is followed by an onslaught of blastbeats and vicious riffing accompanied by maniacally howled vocals, depression subsides and ferocity ensues with utmost haste, An old school 2nd wave Black Metal groove is present amidst the restlessly shifting melodies that fire us into a tempest of ravenously icy soundscapes. There is a certain savagery to this material that evokes a pure flame of lively and chaotic Black Metal while the ritualistic incantations bare a strong resemblance to fellow German bands and also some of the Finnish tyrants such as Behexen. There is a definitely ancient feeling to the cold and raw rasping Black Metal that is sincere and scathing, promising a magnificent experience.

Cascading instrumental barbarity continues with equal use of aggression and melancholy to conjure an immersive, mesmeric and destructive mood that is inescapable. Battle-hardened ideas come to life with dancing guitars that bring forth a far more medieval touch to the record, while never detracting from its punishingly heavy approach. There is unmistakably anguish and pain in this performance as the ruthless display of obliteration regularly introduces more sparse and eerie passages that allude to a cathartic input from the whole band, just as Black Metal should always be. Though meditative, there is plenty of ferocity and killer musicianship to keep things interesting and no ideas are repetitive to the point of annoyance. Those seeking malice will find it here.

Hammering forth, the album seems to stay on track with a consistent approach to the music with enough variety to keep charging on while clearly the bands vision is stoic, unapologetic and unwavering. Prepare to be transported to ancient dungeons during the more ambient passages while battle is never far away thanks to the sonic warfare continually unleashed through a mighty arsenal of fantastic Black Metal. With no lack of depth and maturity to this album we see a strong and exciting growth as it progresses that is haunting and devastating in its pathway through ancestral spectres that screech their chants with absolute coherence and conviction. Grabunhold channel this gloriously.

A marvellously melodic yet grim, frostbitten and fierce record. Building on the EP with its pure 2nd wave Black Metal barbarity, the full length has a more developed use of melody while not losing an ounce of the savagely relentless energy that makes Grabunhold so excellent. A must-listen for fans of traditional Black Metal from the 90s with plenty of proficient musicianship. -8.5/10