Antrisch – Expedition II : Die Passage

Antrisch returns with “Expedition II: Die Passage,” a concept album that delves into the harrowing true story of Sir John Franklin’s doomed Arctic expedition. This offering promises a chilling exploration of isolation, despair, and the relentless grip of the frozen north. Let’s embark on this frigid expedition, track by track, and see if “Die Passage” delivers a truly immersive experience or gets lost in the blizzard of its ambition.

A Descent into the Frozen Depths:

• I – Aufbruch ins Ungewisse (Departure into the Unknown) (6:12): The album opens with a haunting soundscape. Distorted guitars whine like a bitter wind, while keyboards create a sense of icy desolation. Spoken word samples, likely historical excerpts from the expedition, set the stage for the narrative. The melancholic melody hints at the impending doom that awaits the explorers.
• II – Wahnrationen – Saturnusparusie (Delusion Rations – Saturn’s Apparition) (5:42): The album picks up the pace slightly. Blast beats and tremolo-picked guitars create a sense of mounting dread. Marder’s vocals shift from anguished screams to spoken word passages, reflecting the deteriorating mental state of the crew. A brief melodic interlude, featuring a clean guitar melody, offers a fleeting moment of hope before plunging back into the abyss. The lyrics likely explore themes of dwindling supplies, hallucinations, and the ever-present threat of death.
• III – In Perpetuum (In Perpetuity) (4:58): The album delves deeper into atmospheric territory. Slow tempos, droning guitars, and chilling whispers create a sense of suffocating dread. The song evokes the image of the expedition’s ship, trapped in the unforgiving ice. Marder’s vocals are a mournful rasp, echoing with despair. The lyrics likely explore themes of hopelessness and the acceptance of a grim fate.
• IV – Der Kälte Verfallen (Consumed by the Cold) (4:27): A return to a more aggressive approach emerges. The song features a pummeling drum performance and a dissonant atmosphere. The use of dissonance and feedback creates a sense of sonic claustrophobia, perfectly capturing the desperation of the crew. Marder’s vocals are a desperate shriek, a final cry against the inevitable. The lyrics likely depict the final moments of the expedition, consumed by the unforgiving cold.
• V – Die Passage (The Passage) (7:12): The album’s epic centerpiece arrives. This sprawling track features a dynamic range, shifting from moments of quiet reflection to outbursts of raw aggression. The use of acoustic guitars and melancholic piano melodies adds a layer of emotional depth to the soundscape. Marder delivers a nuanced vocal performance, showcasing both despair and a desperate clinging to hope. The lyrics likely explore themes of the human spirit’s struggle against overwhelming odds and the search for meaning in the face of oblivion.
• VI – Epilogue – Nihil (Epilogue – Nothingness) (4:38): The album closes with a haunting instrumental. Distorted guitars fade in and out, creating a sense of desolate emptiness. The song serves as a final emotional coda, leaving the listener with a sense of awe and a lingering chill.

Verdict: 4 out of 5

“Expedition II: Die Passage” is a chilling and immersive experience for fans of atmospheric black metal and those seeking a concept album that truly delivers on its narrative premise. Antrisch crafts a convincing soundscape of frozen desolation, perfectly capturing the despair and desperation of the doomed expedition. The songwriting is strong, with each track contributing to the overall story arc. Marder’s vocals are a highlight, effectively conveying the emotional turmoil of the characters. The production is clear and atmospheric, allowing each instrument to contribute to the chilling soundscape.

A minor point to consider: Listeners unfamiliar with atmospheric black metal’s slow tempos and emphasis on mood over traditional song structure might find “Die Passage” a bit monotonous. The reliance on bleak atmosphere and harrowing subject matter might be too much for some listeners.

However, for fans of the genre and those seeking a unique and immersive listening experience, “Expedition II: Die Passage” is a must-listen. Antrisch proves their ability to weave history, atmosphere, and extreme metal into a cohesive and emotionally resonant journey. This album is a worthy addition to the atmospheric black metal canon and a chilling testament to the power of human resilience in the face of insurmountable odds.