Asarhaddon/Era/Vendetta Records/2024 Full Length Review

 

  Germany's  Asarhaddon  have  returned  with  a  new  recording  which  continues  the  atmospheric  style  of  black  metal  from  previous  releases  and  this  is  a  review  of  their  2024  album  "Era"  which  was  released  by  Vendetta  Records.

  Clean  playing  starts  off  the  album  before  going  into  a  heavier  direction  while  all  of  the  tracks  are  also  very  long  and  epic  in  length.  All  of  the  musical  instruments  also  have  a  very  powerful  sound  to  them  along  with  the  vocals  being  mostly  high  pitched  black  metal  screams  and  the  faster  sections  of  the  songs  also  add  in  a  lot  of  blast  beats.

  When  tremolo  picking  is  added  into  the  faster  riffing  they  also  gives  the  songs  more  of  a  raw  feeling  while  the  songs  also  add  in  a  good  mixture  of  slow,  mid  paced  and  fast  parts.  At  times  the  music  also  gets  very  atmospheric  sounding,  clean  playing  also  returns  on  the  later  tracks  and  all  of  the  album  is  very  heavily  rooted  in  the  modern  era.

  On  this  recording  Asarhaddon  goes  for  a  very  aggressive,  atmospheric  and  mid  tempo  style  of  black  metal.  The  production  sounds  very  professional  while  the  lyrics  are  written  in  German  and  cover  the  stories  of  four  knights  based  upon  true  events  in  history.

  In  my  opinion  this  is  another  great  sounding  recording  from  Asarhaddon  and  if  you  are  a  fan  of  atmospheric  black  metal,  you  should  check  out  this  album.  RECOMMENDED  TRACKS  INCLUDE  "Der  silberne  Mond"  and  "Die  roten  Vogel".  8  out  of  10.

    https://asarhaddon.bandcamp.com/

Asarhaddon/Thurofreeminga/Vendetta Records/2022 EP Review

 

  Germany's  duo  Asarhaddon  have  returned  with  a  new  recording  which  continues  the  atmospheric  style  of  black  metal  from  their  previous  releases  and  this  is  a  review  of  their  2022  ep  "Thurofreeminga"  which  was  released  by  Vendetta  Records.

  A  very  dark  yet  heavy  sounds  starts  off  the  ep  while  both  of  the  tracks  are  also  very  long  and  epic  in  length.  Melodies  are  also  added  into  some  of  the  guitar  riffing  while  the  vocals  are  mostly  high  pitched  black  metal  screams  and  all  of  the  musical  instruments  also  have  a  very  powerful  sound  to  them.

  When  the  music  speeds  up  a  decent  amount  of  blast  beats  can  also  be  heard  while both  songs  also  adds  in  a  brief  use  of  clean  playing,  Both  of  the  tracks  also  add  in  a  decent  mixture  of  slow,  mid  paced  and  fast  parts  along  with  the  music  also  having  its  atmospheric  moments  and  at  times  the  music  also  goes  into  more  of  a  hypnotic  and  melancholic  direction,  when  tremolo  picking  is  finally  utilized  they  also  give  the  ep  more  of  a  raw  feeling.

  On  this  recording  Asarhaddon  remains  true  to  the  atmospheric  style  of  black  metal  that  they  have  established  on  previous  releases.  The  production  sounds  very  dark  and  raw  while  the  lyrics  are  written  in  German  and  cover  hate,  nature,  despair  and  grief  themes.

  In  my  opinion  this  is  another  great  sounding  recording  from  Asarhaddon  and  if  you  are  a  fan  of  atmospheric  black  metal,  you  should  check  out  this  ep.  RECOMMENDED  TRACK  "Altes  herz".  8  out  of  10.

  Thurofreminga | ASARHADDON | vendetta records (bandcamp.com)

Asarhaddon/Haginthorn/Geisterasche Organization/2021 EP Review

 

  Asarhaddon  are  a  band  from  Germany  that  plays  an  atmospheric  form  of  black  metal  and  this  is  a  review  of  their  2021  ep  "Haginthorn"  which  will  be  released  in  December  by  Geisterasche  Organization.

 Acoustic  guitars  starts  off  the  ep  before  going  into  a  very  fast  and  raw  musical  direction  which  also  utilizes  a  great  amount  of  blast  beats  and  tremolo  picking.  Vocals  are  mostly  high  pitched  black  metal  screams  along  with  the  songs  also  adding  in  a  decent  mixture  of  slow,  mid  paced  and  fast  parts.

  All  of  the  musical  instruments  on  the  recording  also  have  a  very  powerful  sound  to  them  while  the  music  also  has  its  atmospheric  moments.  Both  of  the  tracks  are  also  connected  to  each  other  along  with  the  music  also  being  done  in  a  very  modern  style  and  the  riffs  also  add  in  a  small  amount of  melody.

  Asarhaddon  plays  a  style  of  black  metal  that  is  very  modern,  aggressive  and  atmospheric  sounding.  The  production  sounds  very  raw  and  heavy  while  the  lyrics  cover  nature  and  despair  themes.

  In  my  opinion  Asarhaddon  are  a  very  decent  sounding  atmospheric  black  metal  band  and  if  you  are  a  fan  of  this  musical  genre,  you  should  check  out  this  ep.  RECOMMENDED  TRACK  "I".  7/8  out  of  10.

http://asarhaddon.eu

  

    

Asarhaddon Interview

1. For those that have never heard of you before, can you tell us a little bit about the band?

We wrote our first pieces back in 2014 after our project at the time split. It was our endeavour to explore nature-themed atmospheres in the midst of classic black metal. It is to this day the pair of us and we present our music with two more musicians on stage.

2. You have your first full length coming out towards the end of February, musically how does it differ from your previous ep and singles?

The songs are considerably longer and far more elaborate. Both lyrics and music have evolved into something more authentic. The soundscapes and themes are more grand compared to everything we've done so far. Thanks to our now friend Markus Stock the production is on point as well.

3. What are some of the lyrical topics and subjects the band has explored so far with the music?

So far our lyrics have concerned the poems of our nature, the stories of magical characters and the mortality of all life. Oftentimes we speak as nature, sometimes we accompany creatures on their paths through time and space. Despair and grief play a remarkable role as well.

4. I know that the band was named after a former king of Assyria who reigned before common era, can you tell us a little bit more about your interest in this historical king?

We found this particular name on a day at a renowned German museum. After sleepless nights getting bogged down in the search for an appropriate title, we just clicked. Asarhaddon was known to be a very grand, but domineering emperor. Two vital aspects mirrored in our style of writing.

5. Can you tell us a little bit more about the artwork that is presented on the new album cover?

We took the cover photo after sunset on a day at King's Stone, Germany. Representing the current cycle's theme and our moniker, of course. The photo carries the skulls of six different birds of prey. Each personating one of the six tracks of this record.

6. Currently there are only 2 members in the band, are you open to expanding the line up again or do you prefer to remain a duo?

We never planned on forming a 4-piece project or some such thing. There's great charm in limiting your creative resources, which reflects our music and we mean to remain this way. We do work with two more musicians in this collective, even more when it comes to orchestrating an album.

7. What are some of the best shows that the band has played so far and also how would you describe your stage performance?

We played some exclusive festival shows in the past. With audiences of only a couple hundred people. We were welcomed with respect and joyous anticipation. We usually keep things focused on the music. No costumes, no make up. When light and sound embrace, our music unfolds into an extraordinary scenery.

8. Do you have any touring or show plans once the new album is released?

We couldn't book any shows before this year's festival season, as we took our time with the release and expected a serious surgery within the band (that gladly did not happen). However, we are currently negotiating with a number of hosts and keep adding more concerts towards the end of the year.

9. On a worldwide level how has the reaction been to your music by fans of black metal?

The feedback until now was almost solely positive. We keep receiving the same compliments after the shows, which is welcome recognition of the hard work. We even had people mail us to express their emotions that was given to them through our music. A very humbling experience.

10. Are any of the band members currently involved with any other bands or musical projects these days?

One of us is playing with our former bassist in a second project in Thuringia. The other one focuses on writing and producing music with his friends. We are certain Asarhaddon won't be our last stage of presenting our musical creations.

11. Where do you see the band heading into musically during the future?

We do have a handful of plans that we can't even phrase, as we must take care of current priorities. It will be enchanting to delve into more stories and musical themes in the coming years. We hope to share even more wondrous songs when their time has come.

12. What are some of the bands or musical styles that have had an influence on your music and also what are you listening to nowadays?

That is pretty complicated. We were never really guided by a particular band and know of no-one who could be a parallel to our music. Currently we listen to artists like Enisum, Addaura, Horn and the creations of Ivar Bjørnson and Einar Selvik. Maybe these bands have had a notable impact on our musical process.

13. Before we wrap up this interview, do you have any final words or thoughts?

Everyone listen to more music and be kind to each other. Thank you ever so much for your time!

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Asarhaddon/Reysa/Geisterasche Organisation/2020 CD Review

  Asarhaddon  are  a  duo  from  Germany  that  plays  an  atmospheric  form  of  black  metal  and  this  is  a  review  of  their  2020  album  "Reysa"  which  will  be  released  on  February  29th  by  Geisterasche  Organisation.

  Acoustic  guitar  playing  starts  off  the  album  before  going  into  a  very  fast  and  raw  musical  direction  which  also  uses  a  great  amount  of  tremolo  picking  and  blast  beats.  Most  of  the  tracks  are  very  long  and  epic  in  length  while  the  songs  also  add  in  a  decent  mixture  of  slow,  mid  paced  and  fast  parts.

  All  of  the  musical  instruments  on  the  recording  also  have  a  very  powerful  sound  to  them  along  with  the  vocals  being  mostly  angry  sounding  black  metal  screams.  The  riffs  also  add  in  a  decent  amount  of  melody  as  well  as  the  songs  also  adding  in  a  decent  mixture  of  slow,  mid  paced  and  fast  parts.

  The  music  also  has  its  atmospheric  moments  but  also  keeps  it  in  a  heavier  direction  and  as  the  album  progresses  acoustic  guitars  also  make  a  brief  return  on  a  couple  of  tracks,  towards  the  end  a  brief use of  stringed  instruments  can  also  be  heard. The  production  sounds  very  dark  and  raw  while  the  lyrics  are  written  in  German  and  cover  hate,  nature,  despair  and  grief  themes. 

  In  my  opinion  Asarhaddon  are  a  very  great  sounding  atmospheric  black  metal  duo  and  if  you  are  a  fan  of  this  musical  genre,  you  should  check  out  this  recording.  RECOMMENDED  TRACKS  INCLUDE  "Der  Ursprung"  and  "Am  Ende  ewiger  Wasser".  8  out  of  10.

Bandcamp

Official website

YouTube