Ethos
(AOP Records)
50:56min
Since their debut “Niedergang” from the year 2014 FIRTAN have earned a good reputation. The basis was classic Pagan / Black Metal, performed powerfully and dynamically and always expanded a little, without straying too far from the origins. I do not know whether the band from Germany did themselves a favor with their fifth album. Rarely have I been as undecided in my assessment of an album as in the case of “Ethos”. My problem with the 50 minutes of music is the following. For my taste there are just too many different influences intermingled. Listening to the nine songs in one piece, you do not get a coherent picture; sometimes you get the impression that there are different bands. More the feeling of listening to a sampler than to an album. In particular the more progressive Post Black Metal elements reinforce this impression. But even when it comes to more classic Pagan / Black Metal, different sub-genres are used. On the other hand the absolutely positive aspect, however, is that each song in itself is an absolute highlight. Even if the songwriting sounds a little uneven and not particularly smooth in some places, that is what makes it so appealing to me. And do not worry, even if there are some elements that are not typical of the genre, “Ethos” is predominantly assigned to Black Metal. So at the end of the day all that remains is the advice that listeners as always should follow. Take a listen and form your own impression of a band that is breaking new ground without neglecting its old achievements. Please visit www.facebook.com/firtanofficial, www.facebook.com/aoprecs
Mirco Szymyslik