Hel - Das Atmen der Erde (2012)

It was somewhat saddening to read recently that Hel, the long running Pagan/black metal band from Germany, was calling it quits after nearly two decades of being together. No, there wasn't any big break up between members Hamar, Skaldir and Valdr, nope I'm assuming the band just decided they'd reach their logical conclusion after eighteen years. Sure, they weren't very prolific over that period, releasing just two demos, an EP and four full-length albums, but those albums in question are all above excellent in my honest opinion and their last, 'Das Atmen der Erde' is surely no different.

Hel was notably never a band to really sound the same over the years either. The first album 'Orloeg' displayed a sound similar to the first Falkenbach album, while 'Falland Vörandi' introduced more classical metal traits into their epic Pagan/black sound, they took a side step with 'Tristheim' and went acoustic, whereas 'Das Atmen der Erde' is by far the bands most melodic and epic creation to date with excellent cleanly sung parts, folklore-ish aspects, progressive structures and still occasional nods to their earlier black metal days.

Since the majority of the album features cleanly sung vocals and more classical metal melodic structures it wouldn't be entirely off to say this record sounds like vintage Manilla Road channeled through a Pagan/Viking/black metal filter. There's also this undeniable sense of melancholy in a lot of the riffs and breathtaking solos, I haven't bothered to translate the lyrics or song titles, but I wouldn't be surprised if they elude to some sort of conclusion/ending. Either way the songs bring out a lot of feelings, everything ranging from that powerful majestic sense to melancholy, rage and really just something indescribable.

Its a bit trying to honestly pick favorites as the whole album really stands out without any blunders, but a song like 'So Wahrheit, Erkenne Mich' is so spot on to why I love this album; catchy and passionately sung clean vocals, a continually building and epic mood with brilliant almost Iron Maiden-ish instrumentation along the way and with that little hint of melancholy interwoven its just perfect. 'Jagdnacht' is one of the more bouncier folky songs on the record with a good mixture of clean and growled vocals, while the opener 'Wo Die Tannen Thronen' is just stunning in its despondent melodicism. The lengthy final song 'Neun Gestade Tiefer' is also notable with its mighty Bathory essence initially, but rips into blasting black metal riffs and pummeling drumming mid-way through taking the listener by surprise.

Being twelve songs long and over an hour in length its an enjoyable ride each and every time. Plus for a self released album the digipak is quite well done with tons of fantastic nature photos within the booklet as well as all the lyrics.

Again its unfortunate that the Hel legacy should end here, especially in a way where not many people will ever even hear the album, but perhaps the band prefers going out quietly rather than with a bang. 'Das Atmen der Erde' is definitely a worthy Pagan/Viking/black metal release for your collection as well as just another masterpiece from these Germans.