Asenblut is back in action.
Renewing their collaboration with AFM Records, the horde led by Tetzel (vocals, All For Metal), Claus Cleinkrieg (guitar), Balrogh (drums, Soul Grinder) and Sash (bass) announce the release of Entfesselt, their fifth album.
They also worked with Askeroth (Nachtblut) and Matthias Mente (Deliver the Galaxy, ex-Varg) on this new opus.
Das Ende der Götter gets us right into the heart of the matter, as this incisive track fully assumes its epic inspirations. The vocalist doesn’t hesitate to use his full vocal range as well as his comrades’ one to drive the rhythm up to Entfesselt, where it speeds off again to carry us along in its charge, leaving the leads to provide the cutting edge. The backing vocals reinforce the power of the cries, as they do on Unbesiegbar, which remains in the jerky energetic tones the musicians know how to play with, recreating obvious martial atmospheres. Harmonics become rawer before Wie ein Berserker turns them towards a more heady approach to create a strong contrast with the powerful basis, but also some Heavy influences on the solo. The tone softens with Arm in Arm, where the tempo slows down while adopting small accelerations with Nordic roots, before surrendering again to pure fury on Hexengericht, where the borrowings from Pagan Metal and choirs become more prominent. The track is quite impressive on the final, then goes back to savagery with Wölfe des Meeres and its frantic rhythm that perfectly matches the vindictive atmosphere intended by the musicians. Although some passages become calmer, the track is quick to flare up again, before giving way to Blut und Sand and its dark heaviness, which gradually transforms into unhealthy dissonance before finally revealing a few Latin phrases. Dagon then reveals its own occult darkness via intriguing guitars and warlike passages, before Nox Nostra Est closes the album with similar patterns, but with a soothing break before the final explosion.
Asenblut‘s Nordic roots give them a relatively different perspective on traditional Melodic Death, making Entfesselt a solid, martial album that can be counted on to break your neck under any circumstances.
80/100