From the depths of mountainous terrain, Heimatblick brings us both raw and atmospheric music dripping with irreproachable eeriness. This is my second trip into the archaic world of Verhinderer, who expertly crafts auditory experiences like no other. The riffs are as aggressive as cutting winter winds paired with banshee wails. Coming to us courtesy of Owlripper Recordings, this album is an exploration of the uncanny feeling of returning to a place you once called home only to find you no longer exist within that world. The lyrics are pure, unfiltered, and honest, focusing on the effect such emotions have on one’s mental state.

This is raw done right. The proper balance of noise to clarity so as not to lose the overall sound. In comparison to Mitteldeutsche Theogonie (review here), we’ve moved away from atmospheric mysticism into straight violence. The tone present in songs such as Drang and Ein Mensch von unnötiger Ekstase carries a stronger sense of self-loathing. While the lyrics are in German, they have been graciously translated over on Bandcamp, and I do implore you all to read them through. In this case, it is, in my opinion, necessary to fully understand the scope of aggression displayed throughout. Clashing drums are a heartbeat of adrenaline that punctuates the malicious rhythm attached to these tracks.

The ending tracks, in particular, drag in a way to reflect the discomfort felt in a place you no longer fit. Verhinderer, in this aspect, I think has improved from previous works, as the songs better follow a structure. Streifzug durch unsere irrwitzige Übelkeit in particular is chaos in a vacuum. This was my most enjoyed track due to how harrowing both the accompaniments and lyrics are. Our closer and also title track, Heimatblick, turns more morose in an album that has been mostly hostile. Some singing synth strings flow over harsh guitars to add a punch of bittersweetness. At ten minutes, it is possible a track like this can drag, but every second is adequately used. The best possible ending to an incredible listen.

Heimatblick encapsulates a homesickness that not everyone will understand, but those who do will resonate with. It is laid bare before us with all the gory bits that come with the complications of being attached to a place you no longer know. This will definitely be in my top 20 for the year and hopefully will also be in yours.

Please go support the artist over on Bandcamp, where digital and physical albums are both available. Until next time, try not to be overcome by Heimweh and hails or something.

RATING: 4 out of 5

RATING SYSTEM:

• 0: Fucking Shit
• 1: Shit
• 2: Not Bad Shit
• 3: Pretty Good Shit
• 4: Amazing Fucking Shit
• 5: The Best Shit You Will Ever Hear