Review by Fernando on October 13, 2022.

The rustic Alpine metal maniacs Ungfell at this point need no introduction. With three records these Swiss warlocks have made their mark with their brand of savage folkish black metal that’s relentless yet very melodic and vibrant, and this month they’re reissuing the record that started it all for them, their Demo(lition), through Eisenwald.

Formed in 2014 by Menentekel, in this early incarnation the drums were played by Infermità, and while the current drummer Vâlant is present here (more on that later), for the most part this is indeed a demo, a very primitive and raw sounding demo, however, what’s very impressive and the definitive proof as to why Ungfell deserve the hype they’ve gotten, is how from the very beginning, Ungfell had a definitive and unmistakable sound, and ever since this demo, they’ve only improved.

However, and this is something I just have to say for the sake of disclosure, while Ungfell’s sound is indeed distinct and they would make it their own moving forward, this demo is where they overtly display their influences, and the influence a lot of metalheads will notice, is that of the unsavory and extremely controversial French band; Peste Noire, who are a band I really don’t have nor want to elaborate on, if you know, you know. The major differences Ungfell has with that band are obviously the lyrics (thank Satan), and the atmosphere and overall execution, while the band’s style is very much black/folk metal, the songs have a very thrashy and metallic sound, and the overall atmosphere is much more demented in a way that’s similar to old school Norwegian black metal, so while the very obvious comparison and similarity is there, musicwise, I’m also very aware and understand that these are the very fist songs, its a demo, and therefore, wearing their influences in their sleeves is very much inevitable at this stage.

Since this is a remastering, that also means the sound is gonna be different? Well, yes, but the way the demo was remastered is actually a bonus, since the sound is much clearer but all the rawness and grit from the original demo is intact, so it's really a bonus, especially for those looking to buy this on vinyl. And finally, much like when Eisenwald reissued the band’s debut full length, they also included a bonus track, in this case its a previously unreleased track which, according to the band is the very first track Vâlant ever played on, called 'De Wolf Vo Ringgebärg', and was written and recorded back in 2017, so in many ways this one track is the link between the band’s debut and their sophomore where they really hit their stride and locked on their own sound and style, and yes it’s a really good and strong track that could’ve easily fit in the debut or the sophomore, though, that’s also the one issue I have, this track coupled with the demo tracks is a wild disconnect, especially since it follows the rehearsal track that originally closed the demo, so does the feeling makes this reissue feel more like a compilation that a cohesive body of work, but at the same time, that doesn’t make the reissue bad and all the material is strong, but I do recommend approaching this reissue as both a snapshot of the band’s early days with a really good song that exemplifies their development.

All in all, this reissue is a welcomed addition for Ungfell. It shows the band at their early stage and it ends with a display of how far they’ve come so if you’re an Ungfell completionist this is an easy recommend, and for everyone else, a neat little curio.

Best tracks: 'De Wolf Vo Ringgebärg', 'Hagazussa', 'Vom Menschen Und Anderen Krankheiten'

Rating: 8 out of 10

Review by Fernando on October 13, 2022.

The rustic Alpine metal maniacs Ungfell at this point need no introduction. With three records these Swiss warlocks have made their mark with their brand of savage folkish black metal that’s relentless yet very melodic and vibrant, and this month they’re reissuing the record that started it all for them, their Demo(lition), through Eisenwald.

Formed in 2014 by Menentekel, in this early incarnation the drums were played by Infermità, and while the current drummer Vâlant is present here (more on that later), for the most part this is indeed a demo, a very primitive and raw sounding demo, however, what’s very impressive and the definitive proof as to why Ungfell deserve the hype they’ve gotten, is how from the very beginning, Ungfell had a definitive and unmistakable sound, and ever since this demo, they’ve only improved.

However, and this is something I just have to say for the sake of disclosure, while Ungfell’s sound is indeed distinct and they would make it their own moving forward, this demo is where they overtly display their influences, and the influence a lot of metalheads will notice, is that of the unsavory and extremely controversial French band; Peste Noire, who are a band I really don’t have nor want to elaborate on, if you know, you know. The major differences Ungfell has with that band are obviously the lyrics (thank Satan), and the atmosphere and overall execution, while the band’s style is very much black/folk metal, the songs have a very thrashy and metallic sound, and the overall atmosphere is much more demented in a way that’s similar to old school Norwegian black metal, so while the very obvious comparison and similarity is there, musicwise, I’m also very aware and understand that these are the very fist songs, its a demo, and therefore, wearing their influences in their sleeves is very much inevitable at this stage.

Since this is a remastering, that also means the sound is gonna be different? Well, yes, but the way the demo was remastered is actually a bonus, since the sound is much clearer but all the rawness and grit from the original demo is intact, so it's really a bonus, especially for those looking to buy this on vinyl. And finally, much like when Eisenwald reissued the band’s debut full length, they also included a bonus track, in this case its a previously unreleased track which, according to the band is the very first track Vâlant ever played on, called 'De Wolf Vo Ringgebärg', and was written and recorded back in 2017, so in many ways this one track is the link between the band’s debut and their sophomore where they really hit their stride and locked on their own sound and style, and yes it’s a really good and strong track that could’ve easily fit in the debut or the sophomore, though, that’s also the one issue I have, this track coupled with the demo tracks is a wild disconnect, especially since it follows the rehearsal track that originally closed the demo, so does the feeling makes this reissue feel more like a compilation that a cohesive body of work, but at the same time, that doesn’t make the reissue bad and all the material is strong, but I do recommend approaching this reissue as both a snapshot of the band’s early days with a really good song that exemplifies their development.

All in all, this reissue is a welcomed addition for Ungfell. It shows the band at their early stage and it ends with a display of how far they’ve come so if you’re an Ungfell completionist this is an easy recommend, and for everyone else, a neat little curio.

Best tracks: 'De Wolf Vo Ringgebärg', 'Hagazussa', 'Vom Menschen Und Anderen Krankheiten'

Rating: 8 out of 10

Review by Jeger on November 13, 2025.

In 2015, from out of the Black Forest region of Germania arose Thron - a powerful Black Metal entity whose presence has been a polarizing one. Those of us who've experienced Thron understand the band's importance, while on the other hand, they remain the German Black Metal scene's best kept secret. Not one of those toiling Underground bands that produce a thousand demos, EPs and splits, but a collective that evidently understands the value of patience. Their four, soon-to-be five LP discography itself speaks volumes as to Thron's intentions: to exude the highest levels of class, character and integrity. A career band, the real fucking deal is Thron…

Whilst other German Black Metal bands swill ale and create BM that is fit for Oktoberfest or to celebrate the hunt, Thron harbingers the coming of apocalypse and the coming of Satan. A new Aeon! A new and deadlier kind of Black Metal to see us into a rapturous tomorrow. Thron began to become notorious following the release of 2021's "Pilgrim" and the subsequent release of 2023's "Dust" only tightened their grip on the genre. Now, here we are a couple years later on the cusp of total societal collapse and Thron is back! Today, Hallows Eve 2025, "Vurias" has arrived by way of Listenable Records.

"Vurias" is the product of pure professionalism. There is no punk attitude bullshit or Ad Hominem-level antics here. Let's make a comparison: on one hand, you have Sweden's Dark Funeral and on the other, you have Thron. Both bands are super talented, however, one band represents everything that is wrong with Black Metal, while the other stands as a testament to BM evolutionary perfection. Thron's music is something for the genre to be proud of! Unforgettable album cuts off of "Vurias" like "The Serpent's Path" are like trophies. So many immersive passages to traverse; like being in your favorite art museum and just trying to soak it all in as the mood takes hold. There's this melancholy quality to the opening track that sets a very dreadful tone. Even as the tempo picks up, the mood remains the same: dark and despising…

It's in the little things like the perfectly wet tone of the drums, the elaborate harmony between rhythm and lead guitars and just the smooth, inertialess tempo. It's in the big things as well: mixed to perfection, expertly composed and packaged gorgeously in epic cover art and stunning track visualizers. There are other such impressive tracks like "Hubris' Crown" and "A Paradox" - the former beguiles you with a rich sense of melody before the latter emerges; and with it a sinisterly-tempo'd rhythmic attack along with some violent guitar riffs that leave you a bit ragged in preparation for the temped "Ungemach (Stilles Ende)" - a bewilderingly psychedelic cut during its first couple of minutes and a fittingly evil cut during its midway parts, but then it's back to the Blake Judd - Nachtmystium-level psychedelics. Interesting song to say the least. Thron displays a lot of diversity throughout, as each part becomes increasingly imaginative.

In a class of their own are Thron, and it's bands such as they along with other well-grounded contemporary Black Metal collectives such as Nordjevel and Doedsvangr that will help to steer the genre into a respectable direction moving into the future. Yes, the Underground stuff is really important, but who doesn't love listening to fully-maxed-out Black Metal? Who didn't enjoy watching the Patriots when Tom Brady was Quarterback? Get what I'm saying? Of course you do, because you're a smart fella who listens to great BM like Thron. Just like me! But don't get your hopes up, because it's very difficult to achieve Jeger Black Metal status. And was that a saxophone? It just gets better… With "Vurias", Thron covers all of their bases, as they deliver a comprehensive, genre-exploring, epic fucking record. It's okay to listen to it over and over again… Play it for your knucklehead friends and reap the cred. It's 2025! Here's some 2025-level BM up your ass…

Rating: 9 out of 10

Review by Michael on October 8, 2025.

Boom, that was quite a surprise when the promo flew into my mailbox. Clandestine and in absolute silence German Thron are back with their fifth album "Vurias" out via Listenable Records. Kicking off with some cool "Where Dead Angels Lie" memorial riff but evolves more and more into a typical Thron anthem with some super-epic melodies. Nothing to find here concerning any huge surprises guitarist PVIII told me about when I hit him up about "Vurias".

The surprises come a little bit later on that album. For example "Ungemach (Stilles Ende)" starts with almost ambient sounds, very calm and relaxing and you can see that the guys were a little bit more open-minded this time when they composed their new songs. Also that they used some German lyrics is something new here but matches quite well to Samcas' grim vocals. And the Hammond organ is something that sounds quite unfamiliar first but matches quite cool into the whole song. Out comes a very strange mind-boggling song with some crazy 70s-vibes.

Another very challenging song if you are more on the "we-hate-changes-side" is "The Hunter And The Prey". First of all the whole song sounds like an ill-fevered nightmare you struggle to get out because of the manic, repetitive riffing and to that are some strange keyboards and a saxophone added to make this bad trip complete. This is definitely not easy listening.

But for this Thron have composed some other songs like "A Hubris' Crown" that comes along pretty light and accessible in comparison to the two aforementioned  tracks. It sounds (like the guys had it on the predecessor "Dust") a little bit like Tribulation or Cloak, only with some harsh black metal vocals.

Another quite nice one to listen to is "A Paradox". Although the vocals remind a lot of Vorph / Samael and also the basic arrangements are similar to Samael at the beginning of the 00s, they soon break out of this frame and set their own marks again.

"The Metamorph's Curse" (a self-reference maybe?) starts dragging very slow and keeps up this melancholic atmosphere. Only here and there are some faster outbursts which underline the very rousing and special atmosphere in that song. It seems that the metamorphosis in the band isn't done yet and there will be many more surprises to come.

What is a very positive aspect of "Vurias" is the powerful production. It is well-balanced and I personally like the thunderous drums – they spread a lot of power in the songs. Also the vocals are well emphasized and have a bigger range than on the previous albums.

But in comparison to "Dust" Thron's fifth album has become a little bit bulkier, which doesn't make it that accessible. It truly is a really good album but I needed some time to get into some of the tracks. Because of that "Dust" which I gave 10/10 back then is still #1 in my Thron-ranking.

Rating: 8.5 out of 10