Frostfluss

Klamm's Frostfluss is, to put it simply, an overlooked demo-gem from Germany. The style they play can be described as intense black metal, intercepted by atmospheric, calm moments. I want to give a few band-orientations (it actually doesn't sound like one of those, but rather very unique; still, I guess fans of the following bands should enjoy this): Skagos, Nocte Obducta, Drudkh, WITTR, Negura Bunget, Agalloch, Primordial, and Alcest. The German lyrics are about personal struggles and nature, partly as a metaphor for the struggles. In my opinion they are written very well.

Beautiful and innovative melodies and riffs, sometimes fast and aggressive, then calm and haunting, punctuate the music. The music paints the picture of a forest, by times cold, harsh and forbidding, then again sunlit, green and alive (the artwork fits nicely). Fast, distorted guitars take turns with acoustic guitars. An accompanying, yet distinct, bass line can be found. The drumming is very good and variable. Simon's vocals are sometimes whispering, sometimes deeply croaking and harshly screaming, or mixed with half-sung passages. The songs are very well arranged and elaborate. I would say that for a demo, it is very well produced, the sound is really distinct.

Let's go a little into detail to unfold the characteristics of the album. The song structures are held very variable throughout the CD; there are the epic ones which are built quite complex without being exhausting. Long, progressively multi-layered acoustic intros (oftentimes with whispered or deeply spoken lyrics) pouring into aggressive black metal parts with harsh vocals. In between the fast sections you will always find possessing and recreating folk-themes with unique, beautiful melodies. The drumming is highly multifarious (be it double-bass or blast beat rhythms during the fast portions or galopps, usual rock rhythms or everything in between in other parts) so the music never drifts to boredom. The long songs usually climax in addictive neck-destroying high-speed endings. Other songs are shorter but still don't lack diversity, they usually are a good mixture of raging melodious black metal and eerie atmospherical pieces. On this CD you will also find very nicely interspersed ambient instrumental interludes, specifically Ein grüner Schimmer and Leben, which consist of soothing guitar tunes blending into each other with underlying forest soundsamples and chorals. Tranquil moods or ominous feelings arise and when the song is over you feel like waking up from a daydream. This CD grabs hold of the listener from the beginning on and won't let go!

Such high quality craft on a demo is very hard to find and Klamm can be listed in the sequence of the previously mentioned band names without shame or calling them a rip-off. All in all I can't find any noteworthy flaws on the demo! Hunt this one down!!!