 | Tracklist:
1 A Dream of a Dead Sun 7:34
2 Tortured by Solitude 6:13
3 Winterreise 4:06
4 Schmerzensschreie 5:45
5 Red Snow 8:27
6 Stille 1:21
7 Hymn to Eternal Frost 5:58
8 My Dead Bride 2:44
9 Escape 7:34
| Ranking: #91 for 2008 | |
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On 11 Lists
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| Summary: Creating a stellar atmosphere like no other album, Melancholie is Georg Börner’s epic atmospheric black metal creation. |
6 of 7 thought this review was well written
Black metal is one of those genres I could just never find myself getting into. The staples of black metal: tremolo-picked guitars, blast beats, and shrieks, all felt like they were just adding to the noise and making the resulting product feel like one big, depressing mess. This was my mindset until this winter. I began to struggle with depression and my outlook on life became much bleaker than it had been previously. Coincedently, I found Coldworld’s Melancholie at this time. A perfect channeling of the emotional turmoil I was going through, this album alone is the reason I was able to work into the genre I so long rejected. As I watched the snowfall pour down from the heavens outside this album grabbed me on an emotional level and became the soundtrack to my winter.
Starting with what impressed me the most, the atmosphere created by this record is second to none. Melancholie succeeds at sounding haunting and bleak while simultaneously beautiful. Rather than sounding gimmicky like most comparable black metal projects, every arrangement on Melancholie seems perfectly built to maximize its impact on the listener. The lush and vibrant string samples and keyboards perfectly compliment the dark guitar riffs and tortured shrieks and surprisingly effective muddy and lo-fi production, resulting in one of the most depressingly bleak atmospheres I’ve ever heard. Never before had a black metal album put me in the trance-like state this album seems to effortlessly create.
The vocal performance on this album is amongst the finest in the genre. George’s shriek is simply phenomenal. His scream is definitely in the higher register, yet strays away from the ear-piercingly high shrieks of found on albums such as Dusk… and Her Embrace. He succeeds at sounding tortured and depressed enough for you to feel the agony he’s going through, yet remaining completely listenable for those of who aren’t die-hard black metal fans.
The instrumental work is also incredibly well done. The riffs feel perfectly created to help bring the dark atmosphere to a whole new level. The repetition of parts perfectly puts the listener in a trance while never feeling overtly boring or unnecessary. The drums, while incredibly simple, are unbelievably effective. Even though they typically hold up a simple slower beat or basic blast, they seem designed that way as opposed to sounding underdeveloped in comparison to rest of the instruments to take full advantage of Melancholie’s slow and deliberate pace.
Overall, Melancholie is simply phenomenal. From the flawlessly created atmosphere to the perfect instrumental and vocal performance, Georg Börner has created an album similar to what most would expect from a veteran making excellent albums for many years rather than his LP. If he can keep this up, Coldworld could easily become a force to be reckoned with inside the black metal universe. And I’m eagerly awaiting that day.
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| Recent reviews by this author | | | |
Album Rating: 5
Yay 10 reviews. This one's for Hawks 
| | | Album Rating: 5
I agree so much with this review. Good job. Have a pos.
| | | Album Rating: 3.5
hawks will be proud!!
Digging: Weakling - Dead as Dreams Digging: Weakling - Dead as Dreams | | | Album Rating: 5
Oh thanks. Do you have any advice or things you think need fixed?
| | | Album Rating: 4.5
Hell yes this is for me! Haha nice review man. My favorite black metal album right here.
Digging: Steamy Ray Vaughan - A Little Bit of Rattlesnake Digging: Steamy Ray Vaughan - A Little Bit of Rattlesnake | | | Album Rating: 3.5
Cool beans.
Digging: Bon Appetite - For Emeril, Forever Ago Digging: Bon Appetite - For Emeril, Forever Ago | | | Album Rating: 3.5
Oh thanks. Do you have any advice or things you think need fixed?
don't think you were asking me, but nope - just keep developing your style as you read, you're pretty damn good as it stands :]
| | | Album Rating: 4.5
Only thing I noticed about the review was that you didn't put all the album names you mentioned in italics. That's the only thing you should fix really.
| | | Album Rating: 3.5
The vocal performance on this album is amongst the finest in the genre. George’s shriek is simply phenomenal. His scream is definitely in the higher register, yet strays away from the ear-piercingly high shrieks of found on albums such as Dusk… and Her Embrace. He succeeds at sounding tortured and depressed enough for you to feel the agony he’s going through, yet remaining completely listenable for those of who aren’t die-hard black metal fans.
lol i really disagree with you here, I find his vocals pretty appalling throughout the album
but it's well written, and it's all opinion - have a pos. :]
| | | Album Rating: 5
don't think you were asking me, but nope - just keep developing your style as you read, you're pretty damn good as it stands :] I was just asking in general since I typically make a lot of grammatical errors. Thanks dude.
Oh and fixed the italics.
| | | Album Rating: 4.5
Whaaaaat? His vocals slay man. Come on!
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The first paragraph is why you need more bm mr goodenough
| | | Album Rating: 3.5
Whaaaaat? His vocals slay man. Come on!
sorry man but I think they're the weakest point of the album easily
it's why my favourite track is the last one :[
| | | Album Rating: 5
@Bitchfork: The first paragraph was basically me four months ago before this. I don't feel that
way anymore.
Oh and thanks for this Hawks
| | | Album Rating: 4.5
Noctus you disappoint me. And Free, glad I could help you.
| | | Album Rating: 3.5
yeah well I'm disappointed you don't love marrow more
THERE I SAID IT
but it's cool man because you're still a bro to me :]
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woah mad 5s all up in this bitch
I don't even listen to much Black Metal and I'm considering checking this out...
Digging: Hop Along - Get Disowned
| | | Album Rating: 5
sputnikbros4lyfe
| | | Album Rating: 3.5
Aids: nothing to lose man. this definitely isn't bad at all, in fact it's pretty great.
| | | Album Rating: 4.5
Lol amen Noctus.
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