At times, anticipation can be a double edged sword. On one hand, when the object in question matches or surpasses your expectations, it can be the most gratifying feeling in the world. On the other hand, when the results of your wait are less than stunning, it feels almost as if the letdown was personal, a farce to get your hopes up just so they can be smashed into the ground. In 2008, German brother bands Thranenkind and Heretoir both released their debut demos,
Eine Momentaufnahme - Der Rest ist nur Einsamkeit and
Existenz , which easily brought both bands to the forefront of the post-black metal scene. Since then anticipation has been high for follow-ups and in March 2010, the bands delivered, releasing the excellent split album
Wiedersehen - Unsere Hoffnung , a combined effort that sees both groups reaching their artistic peaks.
Although dubiously categorized under “post-black metal”, both Thranenkind and Heretoir incorporate a range of influences that far outstretch the boundaries of the genres usual fare. Combining the likes of black metal, shoegaze, post-rock and even emo would never be an easy feat, yet Thranenkind and Heretoir successfully and cohesively conjoin these genres together in a manner that is nothing less than awe-inspiring. The juxtaposition is probably best seen on the joint and titled track “Wiedersehen - unsere Hoffnung”, where the black metal screeches of Thranenkind’s Nathanael and Heretoir’s Eklatanz clash with the jubilant melodies of emo, in the mellifluous structures of shoegaze. The albums instrumentalists Nathanael, Pesten (Thranenkind) and Eklatanz (Heretoir) never aim to impress with a high level of technicality; instead they rely on an overly simplistic approach, rich with an overflowing abundance of palpable, real emotions. Whether it be the mournful piano driven and cello laden piece “Niemehr” or the elating “Posthuma” (which features a reprisal of Thranenkind’s self titled track off last demo
Eine Momentaufnahme - Der Rest ist nur Einsamkeit ) each piece off the record is extremely emotionally driven. If more a fan of aggression, Heretoir track “Graue Bauten”, offers a more black metal derived sound is a stark contrast to the albums other songs. Both young, and both with obvious bright futures ahead of them, Thranenkind and Heretoir’s talent is well displayed abound the near perfect
Wiedersehen - Unsere Hoffnung.
” I hardly felt the gentle breeze,
that moves as a small butterfly”
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