Kerbenok - Der Erde Entwachsen (Gewollte Wunden) (Mini-CD)
Northern Silence Productions

file under black/pagan metal

Roel F.: This title marks a new start for Kerbenok from Germany. At the same time it is an attempt by this band to reach a bigger audience as they have now been signed to a record label for the first time. With this MCD that contains only three songs this band must try and convince potential fans that Kerbenok is a force to be reckoned with.

Luckilty, they do just that. The material on ‘Der Erde Enrwachsen’ sounds rather fresh and distinct. There is also an abundance of variety because there are lots of little accents and melody/tempo changes throughout. The sound is thick and structure-wise the songs are more than in order, something that is enhanced by the warm and full production. Everything about this mCD revolves around invoking an enjoyable atmosphere that is deeply rooted in an encompassing concept of nature, something that is expressed both lyrically and musically. Kerbenos’s music shares, not surprisingly, some of nature’s characteristics: ‘Der Erde Entwachsen’ has moments of aggression and violence and at the same time a certain splendor and calm, while there is always an almost unpredictable harmony. To achieve this, Kerbenok uses sparse flutes, folksy elements, a male choir, powerful black metal and peaceful passages. Names like Negura Bunget, Agalloch (because of some of the breaks) and (the older) Keep Of Kalessin spring to mind. All in all, this is a worthy MCD that showcases a lot of potential.

Rating: 78/100 (details)

http://www.kerbenok.net