HKSPK : "“Heimkehr”

 This is the second album from the German blackened metallers. The scowl of the vocals is what you would expect from most blast metal bands, with the drumming more deliberate. This is obviously a must for me, as regular readers should know how I feel about blast beats. The first song is under two minutes and does not establish the album's mission statement in the same manner as the more powerful "White Secretions' does, though this song has a denser, more death metal-like aggression to it. The chug is pretty powerful, and the growls are more guttural. The riffs are hookier and win me over. 

"Sonnenjaeger" is more of a death metal song, with little in the way of black metal ambiance to offset the in-your-face aggression. Very song-focused riffing compensates for it not really reinventing the wheel when it comes to this brand of post-90s death metal. "Kill the Weak" has a more punk feel to how the guitars almost jangle with a more rock feel than a chugged attack. In this way, it owes more to black metal, as black metal has more solid ties to punk. The very compact style of songwriting also nods in this direction. 

Based on the song title, I assumed "Rot in Despair" was just going to be death metal. While this is true, it is also darker and more melodic than the earlier demonstrations of death metal they released on you. It has more sonic depth and a somewhat depressive quality to it. This song does venture over the three minute makr but it is time used wisely to create more dynamics. "Rain in the Face" carries a more blackened scowl, but they used plenty of restraint until it's time for them to step on the gas. But they find a balance of ferocity with steady grooves. 

The title track opens with clean guitar tones and synth melodies flowing to bring an almost neo-folk ambiance before the blast into the buzzing din of more European-feeling Black Metal. It locks into a more triumphant gallop before hammering back again. They ebb down into a more melodic guitar sound. This song does manage to break the five-minute mark, but it is time well spent. I will give this album a 9.5; they are certainly one of the best black metal-ish bands to come out of Germany in some time. If you are looking for black metal that puts songwriting at the forefront, check these guys out. 

6.8

pst412