Deathgate Arkanum / Todesstoß

Deathgate Arkanum: Sturmbund
This is the first track that I had heard from this artist (and subsequently tried to get my hands on everything else) - it's very well written. To sum up the production: haunting. I noticed the other reviewer wasn't so keen on the production - but if you like that muddy, atmospheric kind of production, you will appreciate this track. There is an ongoing use of organ/keys in the background during the song - and the drumming is very dramatic. Aside from the usual blastbeats, there is a very thunderous double "bam" every 10 seconds or so - I'm not sure what drums they're using - because it actually sounds like a timpani with the crash. But seriously, I cannot over-compliment the drumming - it's very unique and textured. The vocals are distant, angry and very well mixed. This is a near perfect song, so I'd give it a 9/10

Todesstoss: Asgardsrei - Eine Interpretation
This is an interpretation/cover of an Absurd song - and it's very different from the original. I'll limit my comparisons, but what I will say is; the production is completely different so it gives it a completely different atmosphere, it's much longer than the original, and far better written in my opinion. This is a fairly simple song, the middle passage with the wandering lead does get a little tiresome (I find that power chord punk riffing gets a little nauseaus after a while) - but the thrashy segments make up for this. The vocals are heavily echoed, and not that distracting. The singing/clean parts are a little off-putting at first - they seem a little out of place, but I guess since the original had them, the band decided to include them. Keep in mind, this vocalist isn't so brilliant in the clean vocals department. This isn't nearly as good as the other song on the album, but still worth about 6/10.