Review by SzejkElRopa on April 8, 2026.

What happens when you combine Pink Floyd song lengths, atmospheric black metal, the majesty of the Alps, and World War I? In brief, a masterpiece.

The album starts with a slow melody and a speech from (I guess) a high-ranking soldier, but the booklet doesn't provide any information. This is like an introduction to the atmosphere throughout the album—cold, impressive, and brutal. As the album goes on, there are numerous atmospheric moments, such as in the middle of the opening "Der Blutharsch", when a beautiful, two-guitar melody can be heard. Another moment like this happens at the end of "Cloaked in Silence", when harsh and clean vocals collaborate, and the atmosphere can be described as emotionally charged with a sense of glory and sacrifice. The same can be said about "Tiroler Edelweiss". Overall, the atmosphere on this album is indescribable, glorious, very remarkable, and very different from many other black metal bands that focus on non-war-related topics.

There is one thing that I cannot simply forget about. Guitar solos. Of course, more and more bands nowadays decide to break the unspoken rule of not adding guitar solos to black metal, but this album is on another level. In "Der Bluthasch", for example, the whole song builds up tension to the fantastic, maybe even neoclassical guitar solo. Minenwerfer (precisely: Wachtmeister Verwüstung) can do more brutal guitar solos, which are in "Dragging the Dead Through Mountain Passes" or "MG 08/15 (Nullachtfünfzehn)". There are far more aggressive songs that perfectly fit these songs. Every song has its unique solo, and every single one is very different from the others. That is another thing that makes this album very, very special.

Moreover, throughout the album, there are speeches of, as far as I can guess, soldiers. This is another thing that conjures up the atmosphere of war, the fights on the Austrian front. One thing that was special about it was the song called "Kaiserjägerlied". Based on my translation, the song serves as an homage to the Kaiser, an Austrian military leader. The song starts with a recording of soldiers singing the first verse. I really appreciate the idea because it shows that Minenwerfer put some effort into making this album as realistic as possible.

Speaking of instruments, I wrote most things about guitars, but I will only add that riffs are very different; they range from tremolo picking "Dragging the Dead Through Mountain Passes" to very heavy, non-blackmetallish in "Withered Tombs". Drums are quite highlighted, have a unique sound, and are very varied. They are not overplayed in the atmospheric parts and play a significant role in this album. I take my hat off to Wachtmeister Verwüstung for achieving such proficiency on both drums and guitar, which requires remarkable skill. The vocal (by Generalfeldmarschall Kriegshammer) might be a little bit perplexing for some, because it is very harsh, but for me, it is perfect; I cannot imagine anything else. There are moments when the bass guitar is heard, and it's not only a little addition.

Overall, if you haven't tried this album yet, it is worth it. It's a bit of a shame that Minenwerfer left this style in "Feuerwalze", but this album is completely different from "Alpenpässe". This album is a real gem among the innumerable amount of black metal bands.

Rating: 10 out of 10

Review by Alex on February 21, 2020.

Moving through the trenches amidst corpses of fallen soldiers stopped in their tracks by the unbearable burn of mustard gas eating the lungs; crawling amidst piles of dead bodies burying each other as they press against the choked canals in random positions still with the stare of horror, disbelief and wonder of who or what is the point of this blood-shed. If only they could see the profiteers and what would become of their homeland and what fate brewed for the lives of their families left behind before impetuously drafted to march their final steps in agony; grim all the while captivating through profound lyricism and music Minenwerfer magnifies the scope of tales.

No amount of words or fancy sentences could give this output the credit it deserves, it's just too strong, too deep too touching of an album to give literal representation, praise and justification to. Clocking in at just over an hour Minenwerfer with Alpenpässe deliver a mind-blowing and immeasurable recording. Conceptual it seems yet cut with the black end of a dagger, the songs here captivate and entrench the listener through its immense run-time by means of sorrowful landscapes, waves of combative or moderate drumming and guitar solos ever encompassing the many faces of a tale. Through the low dire depths of the trenches to the conquering heights of the mountains, Alpenpässe takes no shortcuts towards its destination and keeps the listener guessing around every corner of the journey.

With despondency, despair, triumph and fear battling against each other you can’t keep emotionally still, as any could be activated at a given period; thus, keeping you engaged in the music thoroughly. Each song a thing to remember and embrace, with the opening ascent being 'Der Blutharsch', the boulder-esque track length says it all with regards to the weight of the subject. You get nothing less musically, each section of the song brings the listener to face the towering melancholy mercilessly bearing down; while you would be relieved for a brief moment of the saddening reality on 'Dragging the Dead through Mountains High', that fierce warring posture diminishes with the entry of 'Cloaked in Silence'. Even more depressing than the opener, this raises the bar in the band's songwriting department through its 12-minute span and weaved tones of conquest and hopelessness. More of the same toggle of tones drain down on 'Kaiserjägerlied' and 'Withered Tombs', echoing heightened, exhilarating guitar work and overall compositions.

Almost haunting to hear the soldiers sing their hymns on the poetic 'Tiroler Edelweiss' thus adding another layer of emotional depth to the resonance of the album and I would have expected no less provided the scope of Alpenpässe.

Truly something to own on vinyl as I see it, which I understand will be receiving such a pressing sometime soon via Purity Through Fire, of whom have been putting out relatively high-quality releases; therefore it comes as no surprise Alpenpässe falls within the category of esteem. Minenwerfer have set foot for a second time leaving an un-erasable imprint with their third album Alpenpässe offering songs nothing shy of valor and might.

Rating: 9.2 out of 10