Album Review: Bergthron – Neu Asen Land (Trollzorn Records)

Bergthron, mysterious explorers of metal, celebrate their 30th anniversary with a brand-new album called ‘Neu Asen Land’. Out on January 6th, 2025, via Trollzorn Records.

As mysterious as always, even though it has been a long wait (fifteen years), Bergthron continue to grab attention due to their unique approach and willingness to experiment within the confines of traditional metal. They thrive on variety, are driven by investigation, and are wholly unafraid of pushing the limits of what metal can be. Something that is even more impressive when you consider they’ve been doing this for thirty years.

Now, to be fair, it doesn’t always work and while what is experienced over the seven tracks of this album is unique, it’s also tricky in places. Bergthron are an ambitious lot, and we should be so glad they are, but there are plenty of times where this album might have you scratching your head a little bit.

Now, that doesn’t mean it’s not enjoyable and a haunting intro called Skandinavische Expansion sets up a lively blast of heaviness called Aufbruch nach Neu Asen Land. This is where Bergthron excel, moving at pace, adapting the tempo to fit the moment, and letting the guitars hum in interesting ways. The vocals though, while impressive because of the different styles, are all over the place and it makes the overall experience less appealing.

Melody then dictates the direction of SOG, but the group vocal harmonisation and likable bassy groove are what matters here. Before the halfway point of the album is reached in progressive style via the vibrant heaviness, burgeoning melody, and surprisingly anthemic aspects of Horizont in Flammen. It is quite amazing just how developed their musical palette is. Yet, as enjoyable as all this is, the sci-fi electronica that suddenly arrives is just jarring. It’s not bad or unlistenable, it just doesn’t quite fit, being one of those aforementioned head scratching moments.

Schiffbruch im Sonnengrab isn’t any less weird, but being much shorter, the gloom-tinged atmosphere and erratic melody of this one proves to be quite palatable. Needed, as the penultimate track, Gefangene der Polarnacht is as strange as it gets, almost folky in places, but with bursts of heavy intensity and some of the strongest guitar melodies of the album. It’s the most fascinating of all, which says a lot as the finale of Skaldenruhm erstarrt in Zeit is thick with dark atmosphere, showcases dramatic synth, and features a discordiant combination of guitars, drums, and vocals.

It, like most of the album, will have you scratching your head. Is it brilliant? Is it terrible? Does it live up to their reputation? Or is it a waste of time? It’s going to create some debate and a myriad of opinions, but Bergthron will leave an impression, regardless.

Bergthron – Neu Asen Land Track Listing:

1. Skandinavische Expansion
2. Aufbruch nach Neu Asen Land
3. SOG
4. Horizont in Flammen
5. Schiffbruch im Sonnengrab
6. Gefangene der Polarnacht
7. Skaldenruhm erstarrt in Zeit

Links

Website | Bandcamp | Instagram | Trollzorn