FINSTERFORST
Finsterforst, described mainly as "German folk-metal" but with clear undertones of black metal, formed in 2004 and have released what I would call a rather “mind-confusing” album. “Mind-Confusing” doesn’t mean bad; it means the listening process of this ‘Mach Dich Frei’ might transpire to be challenging. To people like me that are used to having something stand out in a band’s sound, this is where it becomes tricky; that and the fact that the album has extremely long songs. Having this in mind, it was time to adapt and try to understand the message of what the band is trying to pass through their sound. Put yourself in a cabin in the woods, with a glass of your favorite wine and sit down.
There isn’t much to say about the music itself, it’s more of a sensorial ride where the environment created is more important than the technique. It’s an album where you have to be in the right place and mood to fully enjoy. You obviously have great moments here and there where a certain member is doing an excellent job but, overall, it’s a collective effort. I would not be surprised if this album was made by one person only, despite this being a band of many members. ‘Mach Dich Frei’ could easily be a “one massive song” album as far as I am concerned. There isn’t too much change or evolution, and then a 24 minute song comes to prove exactly this. I love some massively long songs but they usually are either dived into sections or have massive twists. It is definitely a hard one to rate, but a good companion for a forest trip or a moment of reflection.
There isn’t much to say about the music itself, it’s more of a sensorial ride where the environment created is more important than the technique. It’s an album where you have to be in the right place and mood to fully enjoy. You obviously have great moments here and there where a certain member is doing an excellent job but, overall, it’s a collective effort. I would not be surprised if this album was made by one person only, despite this being a band of many members. ‘Mach Dich Frei’ could easily be a “one massive song” album as far as I am concerned. There isn’t too much change or evolution, and then a 24 minute song comes to prove exactly this. I love some massively long songs but they usually are either dived into sections or have massive twists. It is definitely a hard one to rate, but a good companion for a forest trip or a moment of reflection.
LABEL:
FORMAT:
Napalm Records
Album
MACH DICH FREI
Review by Salomé Sequeira
RUNNING TIME:
74:04
RELEASE DATE:
23rd Jan 2015
TRACK LISTING
1) Abfahrt
2) Schicksals End'
3) Zeit für Hass
4) Im Auge des Sturms
5) Mach Dich Frei!
6) Mann gegen Mensch
7) Reise zum..
8) Finsterforst
2) Schicksals End'
3) Zeit für Hass
4) Im Auge des Sturms
5) Mach Dich Frei!
6) Mann gegen Mensch
7) Reise zum..
8) Finsterforst
COUNTRY OF ORIGIN:
Germany
"... it’s more of a sensorial ride where the environment created is more important than the technique."
