Metalcatto
Here we go again—everyone’s favorite niche genre: Black Metal solo projects. But before you run away like you owe me money, let me tell you that Rauhnåcht actually has a label, plays more Folk than Atmospheric, and the production is surprisingly acceptable. That should be enough to entice you—or, if you’re Ixone, to totally disappoint you. Either way, let’s find out what Zwischenwelten is all about. We all have things to do and places to be, after all.
If you believe Black/Folk Metal has become too clean and hopeful in its aesthetic, then Zwischenwelten is the antidote. You still get all the bashing and intensity with Folk-rooted song structures, but it remains dirty and dark. There’s a harrowing atmosphere here, similar to Ellende or early Vintersorg, and it pulls off that ancient, primal feeling with a minimalist touch—thankfully without an accordion blasting in the background. So even if ambiance isn’t the main goal, it’s still richly immersive and textured.
The synth work adds color without overshadowing the rest of the instrumentation, which remains surprisingly balanced throughout. I appreciated the pacing as well—it’s common for Black Metal solo acts to drown us in ten-minute ego trips built on four chords. But Rauhnåcht keeps most of the tracks concise and focused. Even the longer closing track, which does go a little overboard, feels forgivable in context. There’s no spotlight-stealing here—everything works toward building a cohesive, immersive whole.
Now, don’t expect reinvention. Zwischenwelten isn’t trying to reshape Black/Folk Metal—and that’s okay. It’s effective but leans heavily on familiar territory, which sometimes results in the tracks blending together. They’re all determined to pierce your soul with the same kind of repetition, which is great for atmosphere but less so for distinctiveness. That said, my expectations were low, and the material still came across as solid, sincere, and way above the average basement project you guys send us every week. I should be paid for enduring some of the things that end up in our mailbox!
It hasn’t been a big year for this decadent corner of the Metalsphere, so it’s nice to hear something that balances the feeling of screaming inside a coffin with admiring peaceful nature at dawn. You know the aesthetic—mountains, fog, lonely cliffs—basically every classic Black Metal album cover ever. I blame Emperor for that trend, even if I secretly love it.
Label: Antiq
Release date: August 29, 2025
Website: https://www.facebook.com/alpineblackmetal/
Country: Austria
Score: 3.5/5.0
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