Endstille - Infektion 1813 (2011)^{Release ID: 15655}

Another unknown entity to me until the Metal Academy introduced them, Endstille are a piece of the hidden history of German bm that I have somehow overlooked.  At the time of this release the band had just replaced long term vocalist Iblis with Zingultus and if there was any disruption caused by the departure of the longstanding vocalist it certainly does not show.  Zingultus is a superb bm vocalist.  Not unique by any means but a definite fit for the blasting fury of the band.  Let us not forget that his experience in Nagelfar puts him in good stead of course. 

Think Marduk, Gorgoroth or even 1349 and you are about as bang on as you can get with understanding the sound of Endstille. This does not mean that the album is one dimensional and just all about the face-peeling velocity of proceedings.  There is variety here folks but I sense that if you listen to conventional bm then you do not necessarily search for minutiae in your music and Endstille spare you the bother of having to contend with wild variations on a well established theme.  Bits of black 'n' roll appear here and there - Bloody H (The Hurt-Gene) - but we get our fair share of ritualistic depravity on the likes of The Deepest Place On Earth which is where those 1349 and Gorgoroth comparisons really start to take root.

The only real surprise here is the inclusion of a ten minute + closing track which seems to go against the grain of the whole album in terms of structure.  Its repetition and refusal to give respite adds a new level of grimness to the record overall and although I do not think it fits all that well it by no means ruins anything.  Taken as a whole record there is not a lot to dislike in reality; it does the basics well - if not to death on occasion.  It is not a remarkable release by any means though.  It sticks to a formula and allows for slight diversions away from that blueprint to keep things interesting, but it never reaches any real climaxes or crescendos to deliver any real standout points.  As entertaining as it is, it is hard for me to place the marks any higher than this in reality.