Bergthron – Neu Asen Land

Bergthron – Neu Asen Land

The German Bergthron after six albums and fifteen years of absence are releasing their seventh album Neu Asen Land in January 2025 and it looks like the year will start well in terms of records. They were founded in 1995 and made their debut in 1997 with Verborgen in den Tiefen der Wälder, while until 2010 they recorded at regular intervals.

The album opens with the one-minute Skandinavische Expansion interlude 'Eismeerflotte RGNRØK' under Scandinavian chants and a piano playing here and there to pave the way for the album's second track Aufbruch nach Neu Asen Land 'Von Pol zu Pol'. With strong post-black metal elements, melodic guitars and Solstafir being faintly visible, it is a very strong composition that creates strong interest for the continuation.

""SOG"" is the third track of the album which starts with a low tempo until the moment of climax comes and Mondfürst's aggressive vocals which create a pleasant contrast with the clean guitars and keyboards which create a eerie atmosphere. We continue with Horizont in Flammen "Sólfeuer's Fall", a track that can't help but remind you of gothic rock bands of the 80's without completely losing the black metal element and with the keys playing a leading role.

Schiffbruch im Sonnengrab 'Wrackmente' which is the next composition is also the shortest of the album with a duration of 2:30. A very laid back and maybe a bit unnecessary track which paves the way for my personal favorite Gefangene der Polarnacht 'In Nacht und Eis' which picks up the gears. Blast beats, ferocious vocals but without losing its melodiousness is without a doubt the strongest track of the record. Skaldenruhm erstarrt in Zeit "Arktischer Sarkophag" closes with its synthwave intro. And this track is on a similar wavelength to the rest, low and melodic beats with an ambient aesthetic.

The return of Bergthron is written for cold and winter. It looks like a natural continuation of the fifteen-year-old Expedition Autarktis, but with fairly low tempos, a lot of experimentation and the keys in a leading role. In Neu Asen Land there is a pervasive ulver-ness of their post-2000 period with black metal being always there.

Marios Kottaras

7/10