Uralte Gedanken

It is always hard to judge a "one song" record and I usually prefer to have such a long song splitted into shorter songs. It's been a long time since I first have listened to this EP but it is still one of the best German Black Metal records that I know of.

The record starts with a short atmospheric acoustic guitar intro which sets the mood for the whole song. I like that he keeps it short. The synths in the intro are not that great but don't be discouraged they luckily change for the better later on in the song. The vocals are awesome and the riffs are hypnotic. Just raw and atmospheric material. Clearly the guitarists were inspired very much by Norwegian Black Metal of the 90s for their composition.

We have these ambient and dramatic guitars that give the listener the illusion of taking a walk in nature. Just great. The song is a little bit melancholic but not in a apathetic way that makes you tired. The song has power in it. The best part for me of the whole song are the last couple minutes before the outro comes. The synths combined with the fast drumming and guitar just work fantastic.

Obviously for such a long song of almost astonishing 20 minutes, we need a lot of variety to keep the listener entertained. And don't worry, there are a couple of cool riff and we have our mandatory changing from electric to acoustic guitar. I like the acoustic guitar but I again don't like it combined with the synth. I think the synth works only great with electric guitar and not with the acoustic sound, but that is just my personal opinion. But also the melody that gets played with it is not that revolutionary. So I would rather have enjoyed either solo acoustic guitar or another guitar replacing the synth.

The recording production could be better but of course for 1998 it is very acceptable. Especially the drums fade a little bit in the background, so the sound is not that much clear. Overall a really good Black Metal record from Germany and one of the best from the 90s. I recommend it.

One thing I love in black metal is lengthy music, and Bergthron is not a band to let you down on this commodity. With lengthy songs and great musicians to boot, who could ask for more out of a black metal release? MORE!!!

Bergthron is a band that leaves you wanting more with every listen, nomatter what album you listen to or how many times you listen to it. The guitarist plays simple yet constant riffs that set a tone with the keyboard of dark landscapes and desperation. It's clear these pagans are suffering from a lack of intelligent religious stimulation. The drums and bass back this up by thumping along, the drums especially with great double bass parts and some of the best variation I've heard of ANY black metal band.

I'd say this one very long track is probably divided in to about 8 actual songs or so, but grouped together in one long track. It would've been easy to seperate these songs and put them to one album, and call it a full length, but Bergthron didn't do that, instead voting for Longevity and variation.

I love this band, and I wouldn't call this release essential (as someone else said) but definitely worth a check-out. Got 10 bucks and itching for something new to listen to? PICK THIS OR ANY BERGTHRON RELEASE UP!! You won't be disappointed, and if anything you'll be wanting more after this 20 minute opus of Pagan beliefs.

Opening up with some nature sounds and words over key boards, this band really goes for an original sound right off (even if it may not sound so in words), and I do find myself liking their direction. The guitar kicks in with some speed pick chords, shortly fadeing when some chants come in and it goes in to a pleasent slower chord progression. When the guitars pick up again the keyboards start becoming very pronounced, but accent the sound well. This becomes typical of there sound as the song progresses.

This is a one song Ep, that runs about nineteen and a half minutes, and creates a very original feel. I think this album shows quite a growth in sound, in some parts, than the last album Verborgen In Den Tiefen Der Wälder. Like when around 6:00 minutes, there is an acoustic break down that has a very folk rock quality to it. It becomes more melodic as the melody in well sung vocal chants come in, and give the sound a fuller feel. My only disappointment is how rather weak and happy it sounds in certain parts, but over all those are made up for nicely. So yeah, it is a much different release in alot of ways since the last offering.

Mostly the redeeming qualities of this album far out way the bad. The production is clean, and well mixed in most parts. Also the vocals are fucking killer. There are many changes in this one long song, that add much to the replay values. Break downs that build and build through good riffing and cool harmonies. Well done, and written acoustic parts on here, more technical than the last one I'd say, puts forth a very folky, and interesting atmosperic quality to the bands ever changing sound. A wide variety of instruments is also why this tune is as good as it is.

A must, I wouldnt go that far, but worth it,...fuck yeah. Get it if you like this style cause you most likely wont be disappointed.