HERETOIR
Heretoir
(AOP Records)
66:31min

Formed in 2006 this is actually HERETOIR’s debut album, released in 2011, but re-mixed to get the vision the band was looking for and not obtained in the original release. This is a mix between atmospheric Black Metal and what is called Post Rock. At the time this was done it was a one man band with a drum machine, thus giving it a mechanical and cold atmosphere to the already gloomy music. Early BURZUM is a somewhat distant way to define their Black Metal side, and later ANATHEMA is also a form to describe the aura the band reaches. Aggression and melancholy. The eerie melodies are all over the place, with a production that seems to be done under a wall of laments, as this album has somewhat of a history that is related to the loss of a person. Yes, one can feel that anguish through the songs, and the screams found here san be related to those of despair and emptiness. Honestly speaking, this with normal vocals would probably be more interesting and attract more fans, but again, that’s the artistic freedom that makes things to happen for a reason. This edition gives you some re-recorded versions, now as a full band. They have released more things since then and also being a full band helps the sound too be more organic. Fans of the style can’t go wrong here. www.facebook.com/heretoir, www.facebook.com/aoprecs

Julián “Fatigue” Núñez

Julián “Fatigue” Núñez

HERETOIR
Heretoir
(Northern Silence Productions)
50:47min

With the release of the HERETOIR debut our dear friends of Northern Silence conquer a complete new territory for their underground label. Maybe the Voices readers are not the biggest supporters of the terminus Post Black Metal – yes we are proud to be called traditionalists – but the amount of bands that are challenging / tearing down old walls is anno 2011 an undeniable fact. Bands like AGALLOCH among other promising acts are real followers of a new wind of change which is combining fire and water (so to say). The German newcomer HERETOIR is also fusing their melancholic, but nevertheless hateful Black Metal with strong alternative vibes. The overall topics of loss and despair are definitely not new, so sometimes it’s better to let the music do the talking. So close your eyes and this debut will become a dark river which is combining well known elements and still reaches “unknown” shores. In some way the band sounds like a blackened version of ANATHEMA but without their focus on electronic music. There are times when I start to hate this job – especially when you receive several releases from all over the world and still the musical diversity is under one percent – and there are golden moments connected to releases like this one. The HERETOIR debut shows that extreme music is not limited to total black and that a flicker of sunlight is in the position to change the day. A real fantastic debut for all open mined extreme Metal maniacs. www.myspace.com/heretoir, www.northern-silence.de

Matthias Auch

Matthias Auch

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