Kerbenok - Der Erde Entwachsen (Gewollte Wunden)

\r\nGerman Kerbenok was formed in 2000 and so far they have released two demos, "Kerbenok" in 2003 and "Auf Wilden Pfaden/Im Einklang der Gewalten" in 2005. "Der Erde entwachsen (Gewollte Wunden)" is their most recent EP which was initially released in May 4th, 2007 but after it has been fast sold out, it is now being re-released by Northern Silence Productions. Kerbenok play modern, German black metal with many raw melodies and clear folkloric modules with their music constantly evolving between mid paced black metal, blastbeats and acoustic passages reminding of Negură Bunget’s eerie and restless approach. The black metal parts are really icy and shine by the raw vocals and the distorted guitars. The calm sections are outlined by acoustic guitars, disciplined drums and crosswise flutes, which lead to a dreamy atmosphere. The first track "Das kalte Feuer" begins with an acoustic guitar, rhythmic percussion and then immediately associates to the shrill sound of the flute, briefly reminding of Empyrium, and a whispering voice in addition approximately for two minutes before the track breaks loose into a black metal rage. Of course the rhythm is mostly midtempo and I would say that the transition between the opening tranquility and the vehemence that follows is being made rather abruptly and with an over hastiness. Nevertheless the guitars are really cold and oppressing and beyond that they produce a constant barrage of riffing that is truly engaging and almost unconventional but much convincing. Then the song returns again to a small acoustic part with a nice incorporation of the flute before a black metal fire begins to blaze once more only this time with a lot faster pace and with a choir singing in the background. Second track "Der Erde entwachsen" starts with a black metal fury with sawing guitars, dynamic drumming and even the use of gong just before the middle of the track that grants the composition with a really bombastic feeling. In this song the acoustic passages are totally missing and the music gradually wraps up from a raging battle to a rhythmic and diminishing completion. The track that closes the EP "Der Fall" begins once more with an acoustic interlude and a choir singing and then the harsh vocals and the ravishing tremolo picking guitars come forth with a mid tempo pace that after a while sinks into an almost doomish tone to be soon replaced by a blastbeat and later on with another acoustic part.
\r\nSpeaking for this effort as a whole each song develops a certain atmosphere, the guitar lines are really interesting, even complex at times but there are moments when they seem kind of disconnected and the transitions between the individual parts, acoustic and dynamic, are a little bit of dysfunctional as if the musical thread, which holds the songs together, is missing. From the other hand the use of flute is very positive, without being excessively garish, creating an interesting mysticism that grants the total atmosphere with some very beneficial melodies.
\r\nOverall, this band is not something unique or grandiose but if they work harder on their song structures I think that they can produce beautiful ideas and they have a lot of potential. \r\n

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\r\nVaso Prassa \r\n

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