German based one-man Black Metal project HORN is certainly not one to rest on his laurels. Back with his seventh studio-release since HORN's inception in 2003, "Feldpost" is an album that brings to life the misery of warfare in the trenches during the world wars, and is due to be unleashed on the world this November.

A macabre militant beat woven together with a melancholic guitar melody form the backbone of the strong opening song "Drei Spaten am Grab", whilst gravely rasped vocals and a galloping bass-line provide the meat of the song. Whilst undeniably rooted in Black Metal, a myriad of other textures and styles have been added, giving the music a more melodic and folky twist. For example, clean vocals add a stark contrast to the harsher sections, tempering the darker undertows with a more euphonious sound. "Die Würfel rollen wieder" sees the album take on a different pace, faster and more folky than its predecessor. In distinct disparity to this, "...und keiner wüsst' von Flandern" shows just how many facetted HORN is, with a dirge-like tempo forming the mainstay of a mournful soundscape. Then you have the almost Thrashy feel to "Die verlorene Rotte" that keeps everything fresh, whilst the closing song "Überall und über allem" returns to a Blacker style, bringing the album round full circle and ending off "Feldpost" on a slightly triumphant air.

I absolutely loved the variation in this album: everything from song-structure to pace is very different from one song to the next, making "Feldpost" fascinating from start to finish. This is the first HORN release to be fully professionally recorded, and this clearly shows; each aspect is clear and well-mixed. On the downside, some of the notes in the guitar passages in particular can be slightly jarring, but this is one small flaw on an otherwise excellent album. There is something about HORN that strongly reminds me of PRIMORDIAL, albeit with harsher vocals. However, both bands have that ability of capturing the darker side of humanity with the soundscapes they weave. Regardless of whether you're a long-standing fan of HORN or have never heard of the band before, do yourself the favour of checking out this band! "Feldpost" is sure to feature in several "Best of 2015" lists this year.