Album Review: Ungfell – Mythen, Mären, Pestilenz (Eisenwald)

Ungfell will release Mythen, Mären, Pestilenz, their new ten track album on March 23rd 2018. An album of black metal that continues the band’s trademark sound; fusing filthy, rustic black metal conjurations and occasional folk instrumentation.

The super-folkish intro is at complete odds with what follows on De Türst und s Wüetisheer initially. Screaming black metal, played at a predatory pace with a bitter & coarse edge. How it differs is by throwing in these folk metal moments that are surprisingly lighter in tone.

It also makes for some disjointed & awkward sounding moments. Bluematt & Der Ritter von Lasarraz are good examples of ones that have plenty of enjoyable rhythm & momentary highs but collapse under the weight of odd shifts in tone that just don’t sit well on the ears.

Thankfully most of the album is built around a nastier black metal & upbeat folk melody mix. Die Heidenberg is a frantic number, Die Hexenbrut ze Nirgendheim has some great riffs under the thundering drumming & screeching vocals and the wild but exciting, Raserei des Unholds.

Credit also needs to be given to the short intermission tracks like De Fluech vom Toggeli & Guggisberglied. These work both as a breather from the black metal heaviness & add more weight to the folky side of the music.

Mythen, Mären, Pestilenz can certainly be called a unique listen. There hasn’t been much like this in recent years. It’s lacking refinement & could do with a bit more structure to some songs but it’s an intriguing listen.

Ungfell – Mythen, Mären, Pestilenz Full Track Listing:

1. Raubnest ufm Uetliberg
2. De Türst und s Wüetisheer
3. Oberlandmystik
4. Bluetmatt
5. Die Heidenburg
6. De Fluech vom Toggeli
7. Die Hexenbrut zu Nirgendheim
8. Guggisberglied
9. Der Ritter von Lasarraz
10. Raserei des Unholds

You can order the album via Bandcamp and here. Find out more/keep up to date via Facebook and watch their first single’s video below.