Country: Germany
Genre: Blackened Death Metal / War Metal
Release: 20 September 2024
For fans of: 1914, Bolt Thrower, Kvaen, Panzerfaust
“`REVIEW | Metal Territory
Menschenmühle was a record that left its mark on the modern extreme metal scene. An album that combined historical accuracy, war realism and blackened death metal in a way that few can achieve. The question was always the same: how do you follow up a work like that? With Die Urkatastrophe, Noise gives the answer — and it’s impressive.
As on the debut, the record is based on real testimonies, letters and reports of World War I soldiers. The theme remains relentless: trenches, death, paranoia, loss. Here, though, the music is even heavier, more melodic and more multi-layered. The album moves between blackened death, thrash influences and more atmospheric moments, without ever losing its identity.
“Grossmachtfantasie” opens the record with an intensity that chills you. The use of authentic recordings and battlefield samples is more organic than ever — they don’t work as a gimmick, but as an integral part of the narrative. “Der Maulwurf” is one of the most powerful tracks on the record, with an almost suffocating sense of claustrophobia, while “Lviv zu Lemberg” combines melody and weight in a way that recalls blackened Opeth of the Blackwater Park era.
“Gott mit der Kavallerie” brings thrash energy and a more aggressive character, while “Panzerhenker” and “Waffenbrüder” show the project’s wilder side, with a guest appearance that adds extra power. “Ritter der Lüfte” is one of the catchiest tracks, with rhythms that stay in the mind.
The production is excellent. Noise collaborates with Kohlekeller Studio and the result is clean, powerful and organic. The guitars have a crystalline, sharp sound, the bass is more forward than ever and Noise’s vocals are at their best — from blackened rasps to deep, doom‑like growls.
The only point that doesn’t reach the level of Menschenmühle is the closing. “Als die Waffen kamen” is a good track, but it doesn’t have the devastating emotional power of “Verscharrt und Ungerühmt”. That moment was unique and is hard to repeat.
Otherwise, Die Urkatastrophe is a record that exceeds every expectation. It’s more mature, more complete and more emotionally charged. A work that proves Noise is not just a creator of the scene — he is now a point of reference.
Final score: 5/5
Label: Century Media Records
Websites: noisebringer-records.bandcamp.com | noisebringer.de | facebook.com/Kanonenfieber
