Verdunkeln – “In die Irre”
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Over four years after its release, Verdunkeln’s Einblick in den Qualenfall remains one of the most unique interpretations ever of black metal (original writeup). See, for example, “In die Irre”, which takes three minutes and 49 seconds to reveal any black metal conventions (rasped vocals). Until then, it’s big, reverbed ’80s drums, springy clean tones, and Urfaustian singing. Deathrock is the vibe; for a more recent, less developed relative, see Atriarch.
Drums do make a difference. Instead of the usual blastbeat texture, we get Tommy Lee in a foul mood. The result is a cavernous atmosphere missing in most black metal. For years, Ván has put out strange, dense records that are called black metal, but which treat the term as a spirit, not a boundary. This is one example. It’s part of no trend and yields no controversy, and is thus probably condemned to obscurity. That’s fine. It would probably prefer that, anyway.
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Blogspot Days Revisited remembers highlights of Invisible Oranges’ first two years.
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BUY VERDUNKELN
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I was the first comment on the original story and it looks like I will be here as well. This is still one of the only black metal albums I’m into at all and always good for a venture off the beaten path.
I didn’t read IO back when you wrote about this, but I’m glad you posted it again because this is some pretty sweet stuff.
“…condemned to obscurity.”
Amazing songwriting and atmosphere…the leads are those you just want to let loose in the open air on a black night…the s/t demo perpetuates the majesty of the above as well…
>we get Tommy Lee in a foul mood.
Yes, but can this guy play upside down?
You said it. “Einblick In Den Qualenfall” is an unreal experience. All these post-Nagelfar(HAIL!)/Ván-related bands are worth checking out. But especially Simple Existenz and Verdunkeln.
I am feeling it over here
Cosmo, can you tell me where you found the image for the front page of this? The pic with the troll-esque/satan figure?
That’s the back cover of the CD. I don’t have my CD anymore, but you can find that scan online through Google.
Thanks mucho, holmes!
This is some staggeringly good atmospheric stuff. Thanks for posting this and turning me on to yet another amazing non-traditional bm band.