Kanonenfieber – Die Urkatastrophe (Review)

This is the second album from German solo black/death metal act Kanonenfieber.

Brought to us by the artist behind Leiþa and Non Est Deus, Die Urkatastrophe unleashes 53 minutes of fierce black/death metal. The artist behind Kanonenfieber has cemented once again why many people rate his output so highly.

Kanonenfieber’s material presents as murderous black metal that’s infused the death metal muscle. The songs benefit from this approach greatly, boasting a strong selection of hooks and memorable moments. It’s even anthemic on occasion.

The music is visceral and passionate. It’s an intimidating spiked tank, armed with potent weaponry and surrounded by serrated blades that cut with uncaring lethality. Inside this merciless armoured monster lurks a heart of grim power, powering a blackened attack that’s filled with emotion.

The songs are sharp and brutal, offering an unflinching glimpse into darkness and horror via raging extremity. The vocals and their rhythmic patterns, the cutting melodies that lacerate with impunity, the choice riffs that demolish and burn, the punishing drums that lay the foundation for the music’s assault…it’s all remarkably well-delivered and executed. Even the bass has a role to play, supporting the structures around it, and occasionally taking a more central role.

Although overall Die Urkatastrophe is fast and furious, it’s not exclusively so. Slower songs and sections allow Kanonenfieber to draw the atmosphere out further, highlighting the music’s feeling-rich core, which frequently manifests as melancholic, yet with an almost triumphant edge. There’s also an Amon Amarth influences in place.

My only complaint – all all too common one – is that the record contains filler intro/interludes, but apart from that, there’s very little to dislike here.

Die Urkatastrophe combines black and death metal influences into a barrage of blackened intensity. Kanonenfieber’s latest record is a very enjoyable slab of black/death heaviness that’s sure to find many adherents among fans of melodic black/death metal.

Very highly recommended.