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Kältetod > Leere > Reviews
Kältetod - Leere

Depressive Art. - 88%

Perplexed_Sjel, February 6th, 2007

Kaltetod are your typical Depressive Black Metal act from Germany. Typical only in the sense that they've followed an ever-growing trend. "Leere" is the highly anticipated debut album from the one man German band and is considerably lengthy considering the fact it only contains four songs.

There is one immediate band that comes to mind when i hear this and strangely enough it's not Burzum, though i suspect that is where the main influences lie. The band that automatically comes to mind is fellow Germans, Sterbend. These bands sound practically identical. In saying that, its not a bad thing. I adore Sterbend. Also, considering both bands are are from the same country and came to the foreground around the same time, during a revolution in Depressive Black Metal bands, i suppose i shouldn't be too surprised at the noticeable similarities.

Generally repetitive. Extremely emotive. Highly contagious. The usual images are conveyed in the music; desolation, destruction and isolation. The album is clever in making the listener vulnerable and yearning for more after it has finished. Depiction's of a lost and lonely man, perhaps animal wondering aimlessly through endless forests during the darkness of the night with nothing to guide him but the light from the moon. The vocalist does a lot to convey these images and depressive emotions. Haunting wails of pain and despair ring out over the atmospheric music. Clear production allows the listener to appreciate Kaltetod's ability in full. Although guitars are, as expected, highly distorted. Guitar melody and melancholic atmospheres take precedence. Contrasts to Burzum are likely to be made and to be honest, its expected. You can see why. The minimalism and simplicity make this even more extraordinary. Song structures are creative and explore the genre of Depressive Black Metal very well, creating very distant and a transcendental atmosphere.

I cannot put into words how emotive this album is, or how sad it makes me feel. You'll just have to experience that for yourselves. Highlights include Appendix Hypnos and Kältetod.