Limited To 450 Copies in Standard Version.
Neideck - All instruments, Vocals
Whenever someone says there is something missing from the depressive scene these days, I always picture Germany’s face printed on a milk carton. Though we all know by now that Germany aren’t the founders of this sub-genre, we respect their heavy influence upon the scene as the number of inspirational bands from this depressed nation grows steadily each day. Despite the fact that Todessehnsucht, and its only member Neideck, have been around since the middle of the decade, neither the band, nor the man, have managed to ascertain much credit for the role they have played in the underground scene. Neideck has played his part in helping other, more noticed bands, reach the heights of stardom within this stricken scene, but Todessehnsucht have never even managed to cause a minor stir. This band are known to a few, and although they’re seemingly well liked, its name does not ring around the underground to mass approval. Todessehnsucht’s first and only recording, the ‘Stillstand’ demo, is typical of the sub-genre and doesn’t break the mould. Instead, like a sheep, it follows the traditions of this field. This demo will only draw appraisal from the hardened fans of the scene, so those who are accustomed to listening to bands like fellow German act Wigrid, for instance.
Though the Burzum feel is very much alive in Wigrid’s music, as well as another influential German band - Nyktalgia - some even classing them as “Burzum clones”, a term I have come to loathe, Todessehnsucht do not conjure up many, if any, comparisons to the trend setters Burzum. Given the fact that material like that on ‘Stillstand’ has been done to death, this band won’t amass the sort of hype that more notable acts have received because they’re too late in jumping on the depressive bandwagon which includes the likes of Wigrid, who have already established themselves with two very successful full-length efforts. Though this is only a demo, it could easily class itself as a full-length if it wanted to. The demo is of a lengthy duration, with three songs around about the ten minute mark. Although none of the songs, apart from the lacklustre introduction, really deviate from the standards of the first full epic on the demo, they’re all well within their rights to exist as the material present on them is some of the strongest in the underground scene. As a fan of the depressive class of music, I welcome bands like this as they’re much more worthy of recognition than other half of the bands who receive it daily, usually for all the wrong reasons.
Bands and musicians with minimal talents have managed to increase the popularity of their acts by getting on the internet and preaching their music like some stereotypical religious head case who is intent on changing our lives with their art. A lot of these musicians, unfortunately, have surpassed bands like Todessehnsucht in the ranks because of this fact, not due to their music being of a higher standard. ‘Stillstand’ deserves more credit and hopefully this review will remind people this does exist, or alert them to the fact that it does as it is wallowing in the darkness, unheard and unloved despite its quality through minimalism. The word “minimalism” is key to describing most black metal bands of this nature, but specifically Todessehnsucht. The songs are very simple. No real creative touches apart from an audible bass section, though that in itself is very repetitive. No true spark. No nothing, but that is exactly what makes it good. Depressive black metal was one area of the genre that was meant to depict the negativity of life through dark minimalist efforts and ‘Stillstand’ is true to the traditions that ruled this sub-genre at the beginning.
As this is a first time effort, a one man band and only a 2007 released demo, one can forgive the lack of creative spark because this was, even only two years ago, a different era. Nowadays, bands like Pensées Nocturnes are trying, and succeeding, to transform this area into a more creative field by intermingling outside factors like classical music, a section of the music industry not often associated with any black metal style. Essentially, in my eyes, this is a creation like Wigrid’s debut, but with a more audible production placed fittingly on top. The vocals from Neideck are tantamount to the songs. His vocals for bands like Todeskult have been well documented and often praised. He is an accomplished vocalist of the highest order. Intense wails of pain and sorrow that are completely believable, which adds a certain charm to the characteristics of the music. His performance as a sole creator is good, essentially, though unless you enjoy a lot of minimalism and repetition, this won’t speak volumes to you. Black metal used to rely almost solely on atmosphere until musicians started getting creative and the traditions apply here.
This slowly paced demo is rather supernatural in its aura. The vocals add a lot to this feeling, with Neideck supplementing presence for innovation. He takes control of the atmospherics and drives the band forward with power and precision. Epics like ‘Isolation’ epitomise the embodiment of depressive black metal as they repetitively churn out heart achingly beautiful guitar movements along the skyline of the soundscapes and the bass solemnly plugs away on the underbelly of the soundscapes as it is all audible. Surprisingly, Neideck’s vocals are the best element of this demo, despite the sullen material sticking to the best roots of the depressive scene. Despite the fact that this is minimalism to the very core, it is still very good. I really do hope Neideck doesn’t forget about this creation and solely concentrate on his other, more established bands. I look forward to a full-length in the future along the same lines of this melancholy beast. For fans of the mighty Nyktalgia and the wieldy Wigrid.
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