Helrunar | ‘Grátr’

German is a language that works extremely well with Black Metal. Try screaming any metalized phrase you like, and nine times out of ten it’ll always sound more aggressive and guttural when you try the Teutonic version.  Despite this linguistic advantage, the emergence of quality Black Metal bands from Germany speaking in their native tongue is something that’s never really materialized. That is until Helrunar made their post-millenial appearance.

This reissue of ‘Grátr’, their self-released demo from 2003, is a fine showcase of the skill and drive that the trio possessed from the very start, which they would move swiftly to expand upon with their two full albums. Lupis Lounge, their permanent home since 2005’s ‘Frostnacht’, have done well to focus their attention on reissuing ‘Grátr’ as calling it nothing more than a demo is a grave disservice. This is a full-blown and fully realized album in disguise.

Musically, the release lays the foundations for the two far more expansive full-lengths, but all the bones of what makes the Helrunar sound what it is are here. The pastoral nods to the likes of Dorenreich through acoustics lulls and powerful spoken word sections serve as a foil to what makes up the majority of their sound: fast and energetic Black Metal.

The tone is raw and frantic but fully melodic, occasionally even approaching the pitch and lyckantrophic fury of Ulver’s ‘Nattens Madrigal’. While Helrunar’s later works would offer a more layered and diverse sound, there’s a tendency for the songs here to offer a touch of atmospherics before going straight for the throat.

It’s refreshing and enjoyable song-writing in general, with vocalist Skald’s cheeky shout of ‘Kome On!’ midway through the rocking ‘Seelenwinter’ being perfectly placed. ‘Das Heilige Feuer’ is a particularly strong cut, the ever so simple addition of a melodic motif to the tail end of the main riff lifting it into a whole new level.

The vibe that the release conjures up is one which is suitably syvlian in its feel, but which thankfully doesn’t fall short in the intensity department. A careful use of layered backing vocals and a powerful, rich mix does the job nicely.

There’s a fine focus on the fundamentals; catchy riffs and powerful vocal delivery, and these are the honest factors that work as the backbone of the release. With a character and vibe all of its own, it has to go down as one of the most accomplished first offerings of any Black Metal band of the past decade. A well chosen stop-gap before the next album it certainly is.

3.6 / 5 -Lorcan Archer ::: 22/06/09