When dealing with Black Metal subgenres from Germany, one must have in mind that it lies proprietarily into underground. It means that only those addicted fans can know many excellent acts from the country (exceptions done to acts as BETHLEHEM, DARK FORTRESS, NARGAROTH, THULCANDRA and some others). But it doesn’t mean that good German Black Metal releases aren’t available, and one of the best ones from this year is “Schlachtenklang”, of the quintet GRANITADER. This thee-track EP depicts a form of Melodic/Pagan Black Metal full of darkened and melancholic ambiences contrasting with the full-force aggressiveness of their instrumental parts. Contrasts between shrieks and pagan clean vocals (and some grunts, as heard on “Wie Brüder”), sharp guitar riffs (with many tremolo picking parts), and solid bass guitar and drums parts tempered with melancholic keyboards are features that make their music sound delicious to the ears of Black Metal fans.

It’s a bit different from the usual in terms of Melodic Black Metal due its Pagan Black Metal parts, so dive into it. The sonority depicts something traditional in terms of Black Metal, using the lo-fi features solely on the instrumental tunes (as clearly heard on the guitars), but taking advantage of modern technologies to make things defined and aggressive in their due proportions. It means that everyone will take the best of the band’s music without problems. With a Pagan intro, “Durch die Felder” is filled with a melancholic feeling (due the use of flutes) contrasting with its aggressive insight, with contrasts between shrieks, grunts and clean vocals. “In die Schlacht” is filled with charming keyboards and solid work on rhythmic kitchen (namely on bass guitar and drums), with excellent catching melodies. And fine clean vocals can be heard on “Wie Brüder”, where the guitars are showing excellent guitar riffs and arrangements.

It’s obvious that GRANITADER, after such words, created a remarkable release on “Schlachtenklang”. And it means that a new full-length is demanded from the band.