AN NCS VIDEO PREMIERE: ASENHEIM — “IM ZWIELICHT”

(written by Islander)

For as much music as we’ve written about in our nearly 15 years of existence there are still many bands, even long-lived ones, that we’ve managed to overlook. The German black metal band Asenheim is one of those.

Principally the vehicle for vocalist and multi-instrumentalist Tiwaz, joined in partnership by drummer Valfor for the last seven years or so, Asenheim has been releasing music since 2007, with eight albums to their credit and a multitude of demos and EPs.

Not surprisingly for a project of such duration and prolific creative output, the nature of the music hasn’t remained entirely constant, though its connection to pagan legends and other themes beyond the confines of the mundane world have been throughlines of long standing.

Where Asenheim proudly stands today is represented by a forthcoming ninth album, Wolkenbrecher, which is set for release on December 10th by the Dominance of Darkness label, and today we share with you a lyric video for a song from the album named “Im Zwielicht“.

There is indeed nothing mundane about “Im Zwielicht“. From the first moment, it sounds like heroic voices lifting their cries as they race across the heavens, propelled by a furious percussive thrust and feverishly throbbing bass. But those aren’t the only voices — the words come forth in jagged snarls that are savage enough to raise the hackles on your neck.

The music also moves through phases as it goes. It combines hard-charging heavy metal riffs and joyously dancing keys, as well as gloriously swirling guitars that bring jubilant pipes and flutes to mind. But there’s a slow and gloomy phase as well, which leads into a memorable trilling melody that seems yearning and maybe even bereft, joined by fervent singing and frantic notes of flashing intensity.

And so there’s darkness in the music as well as pagan glories, and a kind of medieval elegance as well as savagery.

Dominance of Darkness will release Wolkenbrecher on CD and vinyl LP formats. For more info about the record and how to acquire it, keep an eye on the locations linked below.

MORE INFO:
https://www.facebook.com/asenheimblackmetal
https://www.dod-records.de
https://dod-records.bandcamp.com/
https://www.facebook.com/dominanceofdarkness