Debut album for German Ekstasis, progressive black metal band from Rhineland-Palatinate formed in 2010. The album is Wirklichkeitsraster, which is also the first release ever of the band.
First I want to point out that Ekstasis must be appreciated and respected for the effort they put in what they do, which is not usual black metal. Ekstasis have made a difficult and courageous choice, perhaps a bit sophisticated we might say, that is a genre that keeps on the borders between atmospheric, avant-garde, progressive, post black metal. Unfortunately my opinion is that the result is a little messed up; Ekstasis have tried to put together too many things, tempo changes, pauses followed by something completely different from what was going on before. The consequence is that Wirklichkeitsrasten is a dispersive album and maybe even a little boring, because it is not straightforward at all. A song like “Farbenblind” with its harebrained and a little mawkish melodies totally lacks effectiveness. Much better when the band stick to more traditional schemes; a few examples are in “Angzustände” and “Realitätsverlust”. Besides, the album is not supported by the production; this is not raw black metal, so if you have ambitions to play progressive black metal, a better production is required. Perhaps the truth is that Ekstasis do not have the necessary technical skills for this genre either.
To conclude, Wirklichkeitsraster lacks impact and the basic quality of black metal: darkness; the above mentioned “Farbenblind” is too happy to my ears.
Notes:
Wirklichkeitsraster was released on December 15 2015 on Geisterasche Organisation.
Personnel:
Chironex: unknown
Elias: unknown
Thym: unknown
Maskin: unknown
Dunkel: unknown
Text by Herjann
herjann@unholyblackmetal.com
First I want to point out that Ekstasis must be appreciated and respected for the effort they put in what they do, which is not usual black metal. Ekstasis have made a difficult and courageous choice, perhaps a bit sophisticated we might say, that is a genre that keeps on the borders between atmospheric, avant-garde, progressive, post black metal. Unfortunately my opinion is that the result is a little messed up; Ekstasis have tried to put together too many things, tempo changes, pauses followed by something completely different from what was going on before. The consequence is that Wirklichkeitsrasten is a dispersive album and maybe even a little boring, because it is not straightforward at all. A song like “Farbenblind” with its harebrained and a little mawkish melodies totally lacks effectiveness. Much better when the band stick to more traditional schemes; a few examples are in “Angzustände” and “Realitätsverlust”. Besides, the album is not supported by the production; this is not raw black metal, so if you have ambitions to play progressive black metal, a better production is required. Perhaps the truth is that Ekstasis do not have the necessary technical skills for this genre either.
To conclude, Wirklichkeitsraster lacks impact and the basic quality of black metal: darkness; the above mentioned “Farbenblind” is too happy to my ears.
Notes:
Wirklichkeitsraster was released on December 15 2015 on Geisterasche Organisation.
Personnel:
Chironex: unknown
Elias: unknown
Thym: unknown
Maskin: unknown
Dunkel: unknown
Text by Herjann
herjann@unholyblackmetal.com
