Der Blutharsch And The Infinite Church Of The Leading Hand
WISH I WEREN’T HERE

Albin Julius continues undeterred to release albums with the new incarnation of Der Blutharsch. There is a before and after in the history of Der Blutharsch: the first phase was marked by a strict martial-industrial style in which they managed to release remarkable albums like The Track Of The Hunted and Time Is Thee Enemy, although, personally, I believe that the creative peak was reached with the two collaborations with Death In June in Take Care And Control and Operation Hummingbird. Since 2011, the year of the release of The Story About The Digging Of The Hole And The Hearing Of The Sounds From Hell, a change of course has occurred.

Now comes the new Wish I Weren’t Here: the first impression is that the new Blutharsch are increasingly venturing into liquid and psychedelic territories. The beginning of the first track “Evil” is slow and solemn: it feels like being inside a temple while the adepts of a forgotten cult celebrate dark rites older than humans. The music is obsessive and repetitive: the pulsating bass and acidic guitars accompany the hieratic singing of Marthynna, the priestess of this alien ritual. The subsequent title track is dark and minimal: it's like listening to Joy Division on acid. “All One” turns towards space-rock and psychedelic sounds that could remind of the early Pink Floyd, while “Make Me See The Light” is a very rock and determined track. The current Blutharsch sound is lysergic and primitive: at some moments there's no trace of the past at all: it's as if Albin Julius has made a clean slate. A glimpse of the old times can only be recognized by a certain Teutonic impetuosity and solemnity as in the overwhelming “Forgotten”. The closing “O Lord” completes the circle with Marthynna still raptured in song while the music induces acidic visions.

In conclusion, Wish I Weren’t Here confirms what Albin Julius has been doing lately. Those who have appreciated the new course can purchase this CD with confidence. Others should abstain. Available on Bandcamp: https://derblutharsch.bandcamp.com/album/wish-i-weren-t-here.

Web: http://www.derblutharsch.com/