Band: Widertod
Album: Anemoia
Genre: Melodic Black Metal
Country: Germany
Label: Vendetta Records
Released: June 7th, 2024
Introduction
In 2022, Widertod released their first EP, which was self-titled, Syf wrote a review for that album (read here) and we had an interview with the band (read here). After 2 years, the band is back with their first full album titled Anemoia.
The album title has a bit of a story behind it, the term means/is used for the following “Nostalgia for a time or a place one has ever known.” For example, Anemoia often occurs in relation to historical periods that have passed; one may feel anemoia after reading Little Women or watching a Joe Wright movie. A sudden feeling of nostalgia for a time when people wrote letters with feathered pens that left their hands ink-stained.
I think most of us know that feeling, so with knowing that, we dove in to the album.
Anemoia
So 2 years in the making, and it’s here, what does this album bring the listener and more important, does it give off that feeling of Anemoia? The album consists of 8 new tracks with a runtime of 46 minutes.
- Apollo
- Endzeit
- Sakrament
- Rote Erde
- Chat Noir
- Apex
- Winter Solstice
- Anemoia
From the very beginning, the album launches into full throttle, with blast beats and piercing vocals. I understand that this vocal style isn’t for everyone, but whether you like it or not, they are consistently spot-on throughout the album. Personally, I’m a fan, of this style of vocals so that’s a bonus.
The instrumental aspect of the music is equally impressive. The drums fire off like machine guns, and the riffs are abundant, yet everything is seamlessly mixed into a cohesive package. Nothing feels out of place or illogical, and this applies to the entire album.
A standout track for me is the fifth song, “Rote Erde,” which translates to “Red Earth.” It opens with a piano section that evokes a sense of bygone eras, moments you didn’t experience firsthand, perfectly tying into the album’s overall theme.
This same nostalgic feeling is brilliantly captured in the eighth track and the album’s closing song, “Anemoia.” It’s difficult to describe, but there’s a palpable sense of belonging in this track, especially at the beginning and in the vocals.
Conclusion
For fans of melodic black metal with a great atmosphere, this album should be a no-brainer, just give it a spin and i’m pretty sure you will enjoy it. It’s a good step up from the EP, which was well-made as well. For the rest of the black metal fans, just give this a chance and you might like what you hear.
I enjoyed this album very much, it’s well-made, and it’s a good listen from start to end. I also liked the album artwork, simple but effective (the artwork is made by the guitarist, bassist of the band Alec M.), but shoutout to whoever created it. Furthermore, I’m excited about what this band has in store for us in the coming years.
BMZ Rating: 7,5 out of 10
Your thoughts on Anemoia
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