STEINGRAB „Atlantis”

SoundAge Productions, 2019

Music: Atmospheric Black Metal

Website:

https://www.facebook.com/Steingrab/

https://steingrab.bandcamp.com

Duration: 57:27 minutes (12 tracks)

Country: Germany

STEINGRAB is a one-man band by Stephan P.J. Krämer aka Mahra. I’ve reviewed his previous album for Metal Centre, you’ll find basic information about the band there. Here is the link: https://www.metalcentre.com/2018/11/steingrab-jahre-nach-der-pest/

The latest work of a one-man band is decorated with an interesting graphic design, indicating the author’s erudition. The image of Georg Martin “The Deluge” from 1834 and the ancient graphics “Theseus and Minotaur” were used.

The sounds of “Atlantis” are powerful, dark, atmospheric black-metal. The music keeps the genre framework all the time, but it is varied and rich. The guitars create a wall of sound, but also play interesting, sad melodies. The compositions combine melancholic fragments, heavy with medium tempo as well as fast, aggressive, moments referring to Thrash Metal.

We will find on the album some ingenious intros, outros and short instrumental track. The vocal expresses depression and despair, using different types of singing: typical black scream, emotionally involved, strong, sublime, whispering. The vocalist uses German language, but sings not hard, but soft, melodious, which introduces an interesting atmosphere. I immediately associate such atmosphere with Schopenhauer, Nietzsche, pessimistic German philosophers. The guitars and singing are in the foreground, the drums with an automatic drumbass with the bass and a minimalist keyboards (but successfully used)are heard a little behind,.

The production of the album is specific, we hear everything as if from an old type radio. The music is overwhelmingly sad, but it’s sadness rich in shades. I don’t know German language, so I don’t understand the lyrics, but for me “Atlantis” tells a pessimistic, multi-threaded, bitter fairy tale for adults.

The artist has created his own world that is worth visiting, but I would not like to live in it. The author by himself composed and did everything using many instruments. Creating primitive Black Metal in this way is not too difficult, but such a comprehensive work proves real talent. “Atlantis” is an original thing, difficult to perceive, but not boring.

Tracklist:

1.Hass

2.Essenz

3.Imperium

4.Atlantis

5.Regen

6.Mörderin

7.Dornröschens Schlaf

8.(Intro) Soldat

9.Soldat

10.(Intro) Eden

11.Eden