Thanateros - 2024 - Tranceforming

(51:29; Echozone)

Track list:
1. Anrufung 1:30
2. The Horned One 4:24
3. Everything Decays 4:48
4. Shapeshifter 4:59
5. I Hold You 5:04
6. Raise Your Voices 4:51
7. Hagazussa 4:06
8. The Banshees of Kealkil 05:15
9. Feel the Fire (Goddess 24) 2:15
10. I Am All 4:38
11. Rúnir 4:48
12. By the Wind 4:51

Line-up:
Ben Richter - vocals, whistles, bodhran, effects, programming
Chris Lang - guitars
Christif Uhlmann - violin
Martin Müller - bass
Simon Rippin - drums
with:
Johanna Krins - vocals
Christian Hadersdorfer - bagpipes
Lena Uhlmann - harp
Joko Richter - backing vocals
Enya Richter - violin
Arthur Schadt - cello


German band Thanateros are fast approaching a quarter of a century as an active band unit, and have released albums at a fairly steady pace in the decades that have gone by since they started out. Their most recent studio album "Tranceforming" appeared in the fall of 2024, and was released through German label Echozone.

It is the combination of metal and folk music that is the landscape explored by this band, although an argument could probably be had on whether metal or hard rock is the most appropriate definition for at least some of the compositions we get on this album. Many of the songs appear to revolve more around the hard rock and metal elements in general, with the folk music part of the experience more often than not being restricted to the lead instrument role(s). With the violin always present in some form or other, and frequently with the flute chiming in as well. In most cases with the folk music details structured in an ebb and flow motion or in come and go kind of patterns. Older western folk music traditions and more distinctly Celtic inspired landscapes are both present here, with the latter having a tendency to be a more dominant presence when explored.

Ebb and flow is kind of how many of the songs work out in general too, with some sections being more minimalist or otherwise stripped down while others are richer, more majestic and more layered affairs that occasionally packs a little bit of a punch.

The music as well as the lead vocals tend to make use of a darker and more haunting orientation throughout here, with some songs managing to make very good use of a dirtier and grittier guitar sound to create additional tension and a more distinct mood and atmosphere. We do find the band making use of occasional power metal inspired movements along the way here, but the overall mood and atmosphere has a darker tinge to it that may possibly draw upon some Gothic traditions. The band also makes good use of dark and mystical sounding elements and effects, as well as some details that do have a little bit of a tribal feel to them.

Otherwise I do note that the vocals in some cases can come across as a little bit detrimental. Not due to the performance or delivery as such, but rather due to a tangible accent being a part of the lead vocal execution here, a matter that especially become noticeable when the songs explore landscapes of a more careful and delicate nature.

For those who tend to enjoy bands that exist on the borderline between dark hard rock and metal, and that makes good use of more generic as well as more distinctly Celtic inspired folk music details in general and lead instrument overlays in particular, this is a band and an album that should have a good chance to come across as appealing.

Olav M. Björnsen, October 2024

Links:
https://thanateros.net/
http://www.echozone.de/