It took me by surprise to find out that Kluizenaer is a band from Germany and not from The Netherlands, because its name is Dutch for ‘Hermit’. However, the name is aptly chosen as the music they make could easily be the soundtrack to a down, depressed and misantropic hermit. With their second album ‘Ein Abbild der Leere’ (a depiction of emptiness) Kluizenaer paint haunting soundscapes utilizing influences from multiple (sub)genre’s to colour in their dark epos. The primary colour here is Black Metal, but it is mixed with touches of ambient and hints of noise. Suffice to say, this is music for the wicked and not for the fainthearted. Please do read on of you’re comfortable in the darkness, as it comes in different shades… but it’ll never leave throughout the duration of ‘Ein Abbild der Leere’.
As it should be evident now, Kluizenaer’s music is not about the virtuously played individual instruments but rather about the sum of its parts. Each vocal, noise and even guitar line is contributing to a suffocatingly thick atmosphere. That atmosphere is, of course, centred around darkness and nihility and it is brought harshly and devoid of empathy. This soundscape encompasses gritty guitar walls, loud electronic ambiences and clear decisive hammering of the drums. Never for once does ‘Ein Abbild der Leere’ give in and present a soothing sense of salvation. That’s the strength that Kluizenaer is boasting. On the other hand, it isn’t all strength through oppression. The record does tone down from time to time. It will then present slow moving ambient swellings, with noises creeping in and out to allow for a little leeway. But don’t be fooled, the overall sense is still akin to being alone in the dark, sensing that something’s watching you.
As with many reviews of mine, this is where I’d like to go (somewhat) in depth about the individual instruments and their contribution to the whole. Nevertheless it would be unjust to criticise and appreciate this kind of music in that manner. Personally, I’d much rather enjoy an album like ‘Ein Abbild der Leere’ for its unsettling mood. In these dark times of winter wherein we find ourselves alone and lacking lust for life, that’s when this record will hit home. Much in the same way that bands like Amenra, Cult of Luna or even some Funeral Doom Metal bands should be enjoyed. I too have a strange urge to name Author & Punisher (‘Beastland’) as a similarity, because of the industrial ambiences, however Kluizenaer makes A&P sound like pop music due to its extremity.
All in all, those longing for a near forty minute beatdown (or pick one of the four songs if you’re favouring a kids menu) of extreme atmospheric Black Metal, then ‘Ein Abbild der Leere’ is just for you. It’s a record that is to be enjoyed in the dark, in the moment and above all, in all solitude. As is often the case with similar acts, it might totally possess you, it might intrigue you or it might do absolutely nothing to you. Such is the way of taste.
