ASCHEREGEN/180 GR GATEFOLD SLEEVE SPLATTER ARGENT

Description

The tenth studio album by Bergische Löwen is titled Ascheregen. Since the release of their previous album, "Skogarmaors," Obscurity has undergone significant lineup changes. It is therefore not surprising that "Ascheregen" features both new musical elements and tried-and-true highlights. With this new lineup, the four members, centered around founder Agalaz, follow a single line: to charge ahead! On "Ascheregen," listeners can expect the powerful blend of melodic Death/Viking Metal that is true to the band's style, but this time with a sharper Black Metal touch. This added power allows Obscurity to delve even deeper into melody and intensity. Consequently, "Ascheregen" musically aligns more closely with their albums "Tenkterra" and "Vintar." In terms of composition, the Bergische Löwen have also taken a step forward, offering more mature and refined song structures. For the track "Rúnar Víg," the Niederberg quintet fulfilled a long-held dream by inviting a Swedish artist. Erik Grawsiö from Månegarm, a long-time friend of Bergische Löwen, lends the song an even greater epic dimension with his unique voice, making it a standout moment on the album. It is worth noting that Erik's vocal parts are entirely performed in German. Lyrically, "Ascheregen" unfolds as a dark conceptual journey through the past and present. Through twelve chapters, from the unsettling opening "Initium Dekadentiae" to the final echoes of "Dystopie und Schwanengesang," ancient Norse mythology, the violent shadows of Christianization, and the fractures of our modern world intertwine. At its core, "Ascheregen" is both a lament and a rebellion – a critical reflection on the decline of society and a call to resist paternalistic and oppressive conformity. In terms of production, the band remains true to itself: the new album has once again been recorded in the legendary 4CN studios and produced by Tim Schuldt and Obscurity. Graphic design: Jan Yrlund / Darkgrove Design.