Date: 2020
Total Time: 01:07:03
Label: Trollzorn Records
In the geographical centre of Germany lies the federal state of Thuringia. It is known for three things: The Wartburg Castle (an UNESCO world heritage site), the historical cities of Jena and Weimar and, lastly, the fact that it is the bastion of Germany’s Pagan Metal scene. Bands like MEHNIR, ODROERIR, FIMBULVET, XIV DARK CENTURIES and many more come from this specific area.
And so, after XiV’s new work last spring came the second and unexpected strike from GERNOTSHAGEN. A band that had given us three amazing pagan metal albums a decade ago. And while their reputation got bigger after touring with some big names of the scene (HEIDEVOLK, MOONSORROW, TYR, SUIDAKRA and others) they remained inactive in the studio and only stayed alive by participating in festivals.
After nine years they make an impressive comeback with their fourth studio album, a successor to “Weltenbrand”, “Ode Naturae”. A much more mature work, darker, that brings them closer to their gloomy roots. The lyrics (completely in German) are about the German mythology, mysticism, life and death. The love for the pagan gods, the roots, nature but also battles in the Middle Ages.
There could not be a better intro than “Erwachen”. A true ode to nature. It sends you on an imaginary trip and prepares you for what is to follow. “Eibengang” follows in relay through Sebastian Jung’s keyboard. Beautiful. All songs are very long in duration, resulting in a musical trip that lasts more than an hour. “Eisenwald” overwhelms you right from the start, without any intros and carries you away from the very first note. Askan on vocals is unmatched. One of the best moments in the album. “Blut Fur Die Meute” starts with an amazing intro with rhythms by Roll’s drums and, as the song unfolds, the guitars play a wonderful melody. The keys have their own part in all the songs, without being too overused. “Zyklus Tod” is one of the slowest songs with an exceptional intro with nature sounds. The slow pace continues throughout the song. As closure, the epic and eighteen minutes long “Transzende”. In this song the band show their best skills in a unique performance.
One of the band’s merits through all the years of studio absence is that there has been only one change in their composition. Diabolus was replaced by Roman Senschuries on the guitars (also known as Tyr’s Sohn in XIV) and that has been the only change. So, there is chemistry and uniformity to have this optimum outcome. The recording from Markus Stock (leader of EMPYRIUM) gave brilliant results.
This is definitely one of the best albums in the genre for this year. A true musical journey that one is worthy to take. We wish we do not have to wait for another 10 years.
Rating: 8/10
Editor: Nikos Vlachos
Related Link: GERNOTSHAGEN – Official Page
