Black metal has often been constrained by it’s own self-limiting boundaries, and while it professes to be free from musical shackles it has, in the past, excluded itself from progress. It is with relief then, that German avante-gardians Todtgelichter’s latest release Apnoe has an enchanting, dream-like melodies that will your brain spinning.
The contrast between the callused vocals of new member Tobias, and the wistful, delicate styling’s of Marta give the impression of a split personality. This is particularly clear in opener ‘Embers’, which contains aspects of traditional black metal but their sound leans more towards the modern progressive movement. One of the delights of Apnoe is the surreptitious jazzy edge that works it’s way into the album, most apparently on ‘Lights Of Highways’, ‘Soil’ and ‘Until It Begins’ which again works in contrast with the aggressive guitar passages. There is also a psychedelic ambiance to tracks like ‘Kollision’, reminiscent of trip-masters Ozric Tentacles. This is an impressive, near-perfect release from a band who are strides ahead of their peers.
9/10
Sarah Worsley