The German Atronos has ties with bands such as Mavorim, Eisenkult, and many others. Quite a number of records by these bands have been, and still are, distributed by the German Purity Through Fire Records. Gram is the third full-length of the band and follows Fehde (2022) and Erwachen (2023). The latter proved to be an exceptionally strong melodic black metal album – one that I still put on the turntable from time to time. And that in itself already says quite a lot. An uneasy feeling creeps over me, probably trying to tell me that this record might have the same effect. Gram will likely find its way onto the turntable often in the coming year as well. Brrr… what a peculiar feeling. Could it really be true?
On this latest effort, Henker and his companions – his loyal comrades Valfor and Baptist -once again demonstrate that black metal can easily be infused with folky, pagan, and sing-along passages. Presumably, the clean vocals will make a return as well. Something makes me suspect that the three gentlemen have nearly managed to surpass themselves on this Gram. Brrr… what a strange feeling once again.
Valfor opens with a measured tom roll, but you really need to listen to that masterful, epic melodic main theme that is immediately put on display. Baptist’s vocals, as so often, are incredibly intense and instantly inviting. Geisterflug is therefore more than a successful opener to an album that is once again packed with fierce blast sections and equally gripping melodic passages with a pagan edge. It seems that the three warriors have yet to recover from the impact of their first creation and smoothly follow it up with a second high-caliber track: Ein Raunen im Sturm. Not an easy feat. Just listen to those wonderful guitar lines, those brutally aggressive drum patterns, and those lived-in vocals. Something tells me – makes me suspect – that this level will be maintained throughout the entire album.
And I’m not mistaken, because both Kummertreiben (the song featured in the video), as well as the rock-solid Knochen (with those delightful clean lines supported by synths) and Mit Hass im Aug’ und Stahl im Blut (with its ultra-fast footwork and blast beats), have all become powerful, delightful, more-than-solid melodic black metal gems. Just listen for yourself to the rest of this more-than-brilliant record, which is packed to the brim with nauseatingly good songs, held together by gritty vocals, outstanding drumming, and masterful guitar work.
It’s a joy to hear how, on this third album, Gram by the German Atronos, brutal yet melodic black metal is blended in a pagan, folky – yes, sometimes even hooligan-like -manner. Done! Nothing more to add! Give me a kilo of Atronos instead of a gram. Good grief! Words fail… brrr… what a feeling.
Score:
95/100
Label:
Purity Through Fire Records, 2026
Tracklisting:
- Geisterflug
- Ein Raunen im Sturm
- Kummertreiben
- Knochen
- Mit Hass im Aug’ und Stahl im Blut
- Titanisches Erbe
- Richtschwert deiner Sünde
- Stolz
- In Ketten
- Zorn
Line-up:
- Henker – Guitars
- Baptist – Vocals
- Valfor – Drums
Links: