Review Summary: An extremely well crafted black metal album with compositional arrangements that never get boring, even after repeated listens
Sometimes the power of sound is lost with "mis-wielders" of the sword; sword being the weapon of effectiveness that reaches into our deepest parts of emotions, whether it be joyfullness or sorrow. Both of these components of joy and sorrow would summarize the overall feelings that may arise from listening to "Naturkraft". Before delving into the meat, understanding that Horn is a project of a one man band by the name of Nerrath, may add to the "personal" factor. After listening to this album you may feel a sense of connection with this German composer, solidifying his ability to connect with his audience.
Nerrath's vast wealth of musical knowledge truly shines through on this table of delectable dishes; being a fine layout of superb compositions that focus on capturing the essence of enjoyability. Tracks such as "Marsjerende" can be likened to a one hit wonder, although all of it's counterparts are no exception. This track stands out with melodious tremolos that blend just the right notes to make you feel like your on a conquering stride of accomplishment. The interchangeable segments flow ever so seemlessly as new textures are introduced like several valley rivers flowing into an ocean.
From beginning to end, "Naturkraft" carries elements of transistion that can only be appreciated as a whole. If you were to skip foward, even a minute through any given song, you'd be totally lost as if you were thrown onto a hiking trail with no map. Every second of every moment is carefully planned out, acting as your guide to the ultimate prize; which is a complete sense of satisfaction and gratitude to such an accomplishment. Every interval of change and transistion rest with just enough play out time to allow an emotion to rest with you, until it eventually evolves into it's natural course; which is where "Naturkraft" truly succeeds. Black metal albums can share various elements but what ultimately sets them apart is the personal connection established with well thought out moments. When tracks such as "So Kalt Wie Nie Zuvor" and "Deute Die Zeichen StehenAuf Sturm" start off with powerful tempos, blended with accompaning melodies, drilling the emotion in your soul; the listener is blessed with kvlt breakdowns to trasistion into mid-paced moments that are likened to the wieghtless feelings felt on a free-falling roller coaster, without the negative effects of feeling like your gonna puke.
The production really blends all these enjoyable elements perfectly and makes for an enjoyable listen when played at very high volumes; in fact, high volumes with headphones are the only way I can reap the deepest benefits from this masterpiece. There is just the right amount of fuzz to the guitars. The bass is audible. The drums have a perfect feeling of dampness to them so that the treble-like features of it don't pierce your ears during moments of tempo'd fury or high blazing decibels. Every track is placed in it's respective places to inflict the most emotion. The seven solid tracks always get right to the point and are balanced by one melodic-acoustic instrumental that really gives you tunnel vision, preparing you for a three track finale. The zoney instrumental aspects of "Akustikeinschub" blend nicely into its predecessor which gradually carries the solidified emotions successfully.
Horn offers one of the most solid discographies from any Black Metal artist/band, with enjoyable aspects that can appreciated by any music enthusiast willing to give this genre a try. For those especially acquainted with Black Metal, this album will be a joy to your life and will possibly present itself as an essential to your collection.
