HEIMDALLS WACHT is a Pagan Black Metal band formed in 2004, based out of Germany. "Der Untergang Der Alten Welt" is the band's second full-length album and was originally released in 2008, containing eight tracks. The opening track, "Die Tranden des alten Wachters," has a busy riff and lead in scream that's almost enough to scare your pants off. From there, the high pitched and scratchy vocals fit very well within the genre, as is the blast beat drumming and relentless attack of the overall instrumentation. The clean acoustic passage, just past the halfway mark, is a nice break and is very well done. "Des Nordens Stern" is similar in pace and impact, though a bit longer overall and more Doomy in its delivery. Though the vocals are still very much done in the Black Metal tradition, they are more lamenting wails than screams of pain. Once again, an interlude rears its head towards the end, complete with clean vocal passages.

"In kaite Schatten versunken" opens with a softer approach that eventually leads to a hastier sound, there are some twin guitar harmonies take the lead, offsetting the other riff. "Der Ietzte Marsch" has a marching rhythm, like faceless black steeds, galloping through a winter forest on their way to dastardly deeds. "Weltenbrand" is an exercise in length, clocking in at over fifteen minutes, using this method, the band establishes a multi-dimensional sound with various parts interconnecting. I love the gloomy sound presented here, complete with thunderclaps in the background. Near the five minute mark, the sound drops off and favors some softer, Folk inspired sounds. It picks back up at the seven minute mark with the same melody but done with distorted guitars now, and toggles back and forth through the remainder of the song.

"Unter dem Banner der welben Hand" gets the pace picking up again and leads to fast-picked guitar moments with steady percussion driving the rhythm. This song has a scarier component, like a deep breath before a plunge. "Weibes pfred auf Grund" has an unconventional riff for the genre of traditional Black Metal, it stands firmly and with more shape than the wall of sound we often hear in this genre. "Ein Denkmal fur die alte Welt" is the closer, and is much more in line with the customary sounds of Pagan Black Metal. Although they are not re-inventing anything here, I find it very grounded in the areas that fans would like. Yet, they were also able to incorporate different elements here and there, and embrace some diversity that I think brought the album to life somewhat more.