Bethlehem - Stönkfitzchen EP

Bethlehem was once a mighty force in the depressing and dark underbelly that is black metal. The first couple of releases were epics in the aforementioned stomach, those being 1994’s Dark Metal, Dictius te Necare from ’96 and the essential Sardonischer Untergang im Zeichen Irreligiöser Darbietun from 1998. After that the dynamic seemed to change a bit, and while some of the later efforts were solid, the clunkers were really disheartening, namely the head-scratcher A Sacrificial Offering to the Kingdom of Heaven in a Cracked Dog's Ear, which was, flat out, ridiculous. Now the band forges ahead with a new EP titled Stonkfitzchen and the feel is somewhat back to form, although not nearly as black as before.

The band is now classified as ‘experimental rock/metal’ now, and yes, that tag is spot-on. However, with the current movement of post-metal and post-rock leading the charge for the depressed among us, Bethlehem seems to have upped the ante with haunting tracks like “Kalt regelt ab die Krankgeburt” as opposed to “Lingering Fart (A Fart Standing Still)” from the previously condemned Cracked Dog’s Ear fiasco. There’s certainly some atmosphere going on here, complete with moody and somber passages ala Les Discrets or Nattsol, yet the vocals are whispered pained expressions of need and despair, just the way Kvarforth should always approach them. What might turn off most hardcore Bethlehem fans of old will certainly appeal to the greater contingency of post-metal fans interested in this dark and much more rounded effort by the band. I knew they are far better than that last collective mess indicated.

“Yesterday I Already Died Today” is a pretty basic foray into solitude and forlorn apathy, but somehow it pales to the other bands already setting the bar for this particular genre. While I do feel this is a major step up for the band, I think the mantle might be held a bit higher than Bethlehem can reach. Granted, it’s an interesting take on the style, and it has the elemental Bethlehem all over it, but for my money I’d rather spin Alcest or even Aldaaron for a shot of wanton or disheveled volatility. That said, “Pillerthrillaren” is a very fine track that houses some ugly, hateful metal within the confines of a slight case of black metal speed, only to abruptly disrupt the mood with a piano/guitar piece that simply illuminates the room. The only thing that throws off the game is the forced crying that borders on hiccupping at the end, but I can overlook that once “The 11^th Hour” absolutely shatters the still with Kvarforth’s familiar scream and black metal vocal, making these last two tracks the highlight for me.

All in all, I’d say this EP is proof that we all shouldn’t give up on Bethlehem yet. The formula and talent is still prevalent in these tracks and we can always forgive and ignore the insipidity of the last album simply because all of our bands can’t be perfect, right? This is hardly epic, but it is entertaining and worth checking out.           

Release Date: October 22, 2010
Label: Red Stream Records

TRACK LISTING

1.  Was ihr seid, das waren wir -
     Was wir sind, das werdet ihr
2.  Kalt regelt ab die Krankgeburt
3.  Yesterday I Already Died Today
4.  Kandierte Verlosung zu Ross
5.  Pillerthrillaren
6.  The 11th Hour

Total playing time:  31:11

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*Comments:

Reviewer: Chris

February 24, 2011