Empeiria – The Ascent: Szenen der Katharsis

Written by on 02-08-2025 at 00:28.

Sometimes you get tons of information as a reviewer, sometimes you get nothing at all and have to draw your own plan. The information I prefer is that which is short, powerful and concisely written down in a fine promo folder. Once again, the German Vendetta Records, in consultation with Against PR Promo, succeeds in doing this. Of course, it will also make a difference that it concerns a black metal band that was unknown to me until now. This time I am talking about Empeiria. A German dou;  π & η to be more precise and these two dark gentlemen have put together The Ascent: Szenen der Katharsis.

Empeiria means nothing more or less than not wanting to see that there is a limit or boundary somewhere. It is a direct reference to their musical course that would know no boundaries, but in my opinion it is also a reference to the concept of the above album itself. The Ascent: Szenen der Katharsis has become a concept album consisting of three parts. The album takes you on a journey of a protagonist through three emotional stages or phases. The first three chapters deal with doubt and guilt, the next three with growing trust and the last chapter which concludes the album makes you realize that there must be something else after this or the so-called existential question.

And we’re not even done with the introduction of this duo. Everything was subtly recorded, mixed and mastered by none other than Mr. Markus Stock in his Klangschmiede Studio E Studio. Admittedly almost a year and a half ago. Quite a few guest musicians besides Mr. Stock himself make their entrance. For example, you have μM and λ for some lead and solo guitar. There are the sugared vocal cords of Maria del Campanile who apparently also delivers a guitar solo and Caroline Salmona also appears on two songs with her violin. All very interesting information, but what music are we going to hear?

After listening to a vicious yet cautious choir, the whole thing splits open. They opted for a fairly sharp guitar sound and a slightly less prominent sound of the bass kicks, it seems a good choice for the compositions of this duo that are quite open. Both gentlemen have listened well to the better Scandinavian melodic black metal work, you can certainly hear that in II. The squeaking but always narrative and telling solo work really adds something to the compositions of these gentlemen. The last chapter in the first emotion, if you can call it that, takes off at a furious pace but also has its rolling rather contemplative bars. This is due to the narrative clean voice that now and then alternates the screams.

The following chapters deal with the other emotions that you should go through as a kind of journey, just like the music. Chapter IV sounds very sharp again because of the millimetred blast. However, there is quite a lot going on with the guitars and with the vocals that you have to pay attention to. Occult throat sounds make it even more difficult. Don’t forget to take in the violin parts because the way they are draped over the rolling kicks and blast parts is a feat. Chapter V picks up smoothly here. It is the main melody that catches all the attention in the first bars. VII closes this album. High screams and female vocals with their own timbre dance with each other on themes that are provided by the violin and the acoustic guitar. It makes the whole thing sound very adventurous but fragile.

Empeiria indeed knows no boundaries. On this The Ascent: Szenen der Katharsis is biting melodic black metal collected with winks to the better Scandinavian work but also with a friendly pat on the back towards the Swiss scene. Interesting record.

Score:

75/100

Label:

Vendetta Records, 2025

Tracklisting:

  1. I
  2. II
  3. III
  4. IV
  5. V
  6. VI
  7. VII

Line-up:

  • π – Vocals, instruments
  • η – Instruments

Links: