A dark bleak cloud has descended upon Marburg, Hesse in the land of Germany in the form of their latest Progressive Black Metal force DIE GESELLSCHAFT DER GRAUEN HERREN.

Originally founded as VINTERKRAYDE in 2006, DIE GESELLSCHAFT DER GRAUEN HERREN marked their gloomy presence once again in 2010 and their first instalment "Imagines Itineris" is vital evidence.

I must admit I am not a huge fan of any kind of Progressive Metal as I often tend to find the songs seem to go on for hours and that some of it lacks variation in the sound, so it seems as if the songs carry on for always and eternity.

In the case of this album however I found it to be a very interesting piece, the opening track "An die Ufer der schwarzen See" definitely sets the listener up on what we can expect on for the course of the album. The bands DIMMU BORGIR and EMPEROR spring to mind as I listen to this thought-provoking album; particularly through the vocal work and the ability to mix vicious aggression with calm waves. A capital example of this can be heard on the track "Sommernachtstraum".

The track that had my full on attention was the last track "For The Masses"; judging from the lyrical content it expresses hatred for the masses in society who bat an eyelid to important issues and this is what any kind of Metal is ideal for...letting out your anger and hate for things that seem unjustified.

As much I found this album intriguing and complicated it wasn't the album for me but I am adamant in thinking this band have a lot of potential to climb up the Black Metal steps of misery and despair. In the case of the genre Black Metal, that's a compliment.