EISREGEN – Abart
Release Date: 16th August 2024
Label: Massacre Records
Order/Stream
Genre: Gothic Black Metal
FFO: Eisblut, Nachtblut, Cradle of Filth.
Review By: Paul Cairney
Since their first full-length release in 1998, German outfit, Eisregen (Freezing Rain in English) have slung their gothic tinged, black metal on to the public. With Abart being their 17th release since then, it is fair to say that the band can throw out albums in their sleep.
Alas, this is what Abart is like. Let me be honest here, there is nothing bad or not listenable on the 14 track album (including a 3 track bonus disc). It lasts just over an hour, and you will be smacked about with melodic riffs, decent drumming and superior growled vocals by M.Roth. The vocals are barked with unfettered confidence, with Roth being the star of the release. The fact that the songs are sung in their native German language gives added depth to the delivery. It is really enjoyable to hear.
There are a number of decent melodic tracks. Album opener, ‘Am Abgrund’ sets the tone with its bleak outlook on humanity being a single step from extinction. ‘Schmutzliebe’ is on the heavier end of the Eisregen spectrum, and the album benefits from this extra aggression.
Yes, Abart is an album with numerous fine moments, so why does it leave you feeling a bit underwhelmed?
Perhaps it is a touch too long (bonus disc included). Perhaps you should stop at the album closer proper, the epic ‘Totkörperkunst’, a track full of keyboard melodies that dips into the black element of their sound. It is a good album closer.
Abart is a decent album. It is full of catchy riffs and a great vocal performance, but it is Eisregen’s 17th album and it sounds it.
(3 / 5)
