Germany has been known for a lot of things when it comes to metal music, and certainly, that extends to the black/dark metal subgenre.   Though there are three bands from Germany that share the Nachtblut name, this Nachtblut in question falls under the aforementioned category and hails from the town of Osnabrück.  Their latest album Antik is actually a re-release of their 2009 album of the same name that now sees worldwide release thanks to Napalm Records.

Judging from the appearance of Nachtblut, one would think that they play a style similar to Cradle of Filth.  However, after listening to Antik, the band’s sound is more along the lines of Rammstein...if they were somehow cross-bred with your average black metal band.  The vocals add a fairly pronounced industrial feel to the sound.  There is a generous amount of keyboards on Antik, which gives it a Gothic feel, but when listening to the two elements together, it would be a mistake to confuse Nachtblut with other bands that have done similar things, for Nachtblut tends to gravitate towards a Gothic feel while maintaining a pronounced rhythm, as evidenced on songs such as “Ijobs Botschaft” and ”Kreuzigung.”   While the album is surprisingly catchy, it isn’t at a point where the “more underground than thou” group will scream bloody murder.  As a whole, Nachtblut doesn’t truly jump out at the listener with any spectacular musicianship or vocals, but on Antik, the sum of the whole is truly better than the sum of the parts.

Nachtblut is proof that there is more than meets the eye and that is true in both the appearance of the band and the sound.  Despite the pre-requisite “black metal” look and the rather unspectacular sound and vocals, the band actually does quite well overall.  Though Antik not anything truly groundbreaking, Nachtblut will find some listeners through its catchiness in the sound.  Nachtblut is recommended for those who like actual rhythm in their music, but don’t expect anything unusual.

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*Comments:

1.  Antik
2.  Ijobs Botschaft
3.  Die Blutgräfin
4.  Gedenket den Toten
5.  Die Mutter die Ihr Kind Verlor
6.  Sturz des Ikarus
7.  Kreuzigung
8.  Hexe
9.  Des Menschen Kunst
     Blindheit Zu Säen
10.  Kreuzritter

Total playing time:  48:27

Release Date: September 30, 2011
Label: Napalm Records

Nachtblut - Antik

Reviewer: Peter

September 12, 2011