Imperium Dekadenz – Into Sorrow Evermore

Imperium Dekadenz, the German atmospheric black metal veterans, return with “Into Sorrow Evermore.” This offering promises a melancholic journey through wintry landscapes and existential contemplation. Let’s delve into this sonic wilderness, track by track, and see if “Into Sorrow Evermore” chills listeners to the bone or gets lost in the blizzard of its own atmosphere.

A Journey Through the Desolation of Nature:

• Into Sorrow Evermore (6:22): The album opens with a haunting soundscape. Ethereal guitars shimmer like moonlight on snow, while steady drumming creates a sense of hypnotic rhythm. The vocals, delivered by Horaz with a raw and desperate rasp, weave a tale of despair and longing. The song sets the tone for the album, a melancholic exploration of humanity’s insignificance in the face of nature’s grandeur.
• Truth under Stars (5:18): The album picks up the pace slightly. Blast beats erupt momentarily, but quickly give way to a more melodic approach. Soaring guitar leads intertwine with melancholic keyboard passages, creating a sense of bittersweet beauty. The vocals shift between spoken word and anguished screams, adding depth to the emotional tapestry. The lyrics likely explore themes of searching for meaning in a vast and uncaring universe.
• Aurora (4:32): A moment of ethereal respite arrives. The song features shimmering keyboards and melancholic clean vocals, offering a brief escape from the album’s relentless darkness. The music evokes the image of the aurora borealis dancing across the night sky, a fleeting moment of beauty in the frozen wasteland. The lyrics might explore themes of fleeting hope and the impermanence of all things.
• Elysian Fields (5:12): The album returns to a more aggressive approach. Raw and dissonant guitars create a sense of claustrophobia, while pounding drums propel the listener forward. The vocals return to their raw rasp, conveying a sense of desperate struggle. The song’s title, referencing the Greek afterlife for the righteous, might be used ironically, hinting at the bleakness of the album’s world. The lyrics likely explore themes of the futility of seeking solace in any form of afterlife.
• Forests in Gale (4:57): A return to the atmospheric core emerges. The song features a cold and distant soundscape, with howling winds and distorted guitars creating a sense of isolation. The vocals are a chilling whisper, barely audible amidst the sonic desolation. The lyrics likely paint a picture of a desolate forest, ravaged by a relentless storm, a metaphor for the turmoil within the human soul.
• Awakened beyond Dreams (7:12): The album’s epic centerpiece arrives. This sprawling track features a dynamic range, shifting from moments of quiet contemplation to outbursts of raw aggression. The use of acoustic guitars and melancholic piano melodies adds a layer of emotional depth to the soundscape. Horaz delivers a nuanced vocal performance, showcasing both despair and a desperate clinging to fading memories. The lyrics likely explore themes of confronting one’s mortality and the fragility of the human experience.
• November Monument (6:14): The album closes with a haunting instrumental. Slow tempos, mournful strings, and melancholic piano melodies create a sense of quiet acceptance. 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

“Into Sorrow Evermore” is a rewarding listen for fans of atmospheric black metal seeking a deeply emotional experience. Imperium Dekadenz crafts a convincing soundscape of frozen beauty and existential despair, perfectly capturing the desolate majesty of nature. The songwriting is strong, with each track contributing to the overall atmosphere. Horaz’s vocals are a highlight, effectively conveying the emotional core of the music. 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 emphasis on mood and atmosphere over traditional song structure might find “Into Sorrow Evermore” a bit slow and repetitive. The relentless focus on bleakness might be too much for some listeners seeking a more dynamic listening experience.

However, for fans of the genre and those seeking a powerful and immersive exploration of existential themes, “Into Sorrow Evermore” is a must-listen. Imperium Dekadenz proves their ability to weave atmosphere, melody, and raw aggression into a cohesive and emotionally resonant journey. This album is a testament to the power of black metal to confront the darkness within ourselves and the vast indifference of the universe.