Info
- Band(s): Schauer
- Label(s): Kvlt und Kaos Productions
- Release Format(s): CD
- Release Year: 2021
- Review Date: June 29, 2023
- Author(s): Colin McNamara
Schauer are a 2 piece Black Metal band out of Austria who perform a mix of Melodic and Standard Black Metal. Drawing on influences from Agalloch to Carpathian Forest, fans of the more abrasive style will find it enjoyable along with those who like the more atmospheric. Schauer’s 2021 album ‘Roaring Thunder of Days Long Passed’ is a bit brief, but features enough to give listeners the main idea of what the band is about.
The album seems a little split though, with the first half being the more standard Black Metal with tremolo picking galore, harsh snarls similar to that of Nattefrost, and some backing keyboards, but mostly letting the riffs carry the music with the drumming behind it, though it sounds a bit subdued and lost in the mix. Tracks like ‘The Horror in the Valley’ are raw with Kilian Bauer’s vocal approach and bass work, though the bass, like the drums, seems overshadowed by Michael Seedoch’s guitar work. There are some melodic lines here and there, but mostly listeners should expect it to be bordering the ‘kvlt’ side of things with a cleaner production. Then ‘Pale Stars…’ signifies the change with an instrumental filler, heavily melodic and keyboard driven, but bordering more on the Agalloch side of things as the shift towards the more Atmospheric Black Metal takes place. It is a bit spacey and ethereal with almost complete keyboards, but acts as a more of a gateway to the other side of the band with some acoustic work.
‘In the Frail Arms of Foreign Ground’ is definitely a different approach with much more melody, but the same abrasive vocals on the harsh side, though Seedoch does offer some clean vocals to add more depth. ‘Be Still this Animal Spirit’ is a divisive song as it closes the album with some of the better melodic guitar lines, but Bauer’s vocals take on the more tortured approach with a raging howl that isn’t quite is abrasive as his Nattefrost-style snarl, but the result is a bit of a nails-on-chalkboard effect, somewhat to the way that Wrest of Leviathan can style his vocals for that tortured Suicidal Black Metal effect.
The keyboards really stand out though in their not overly symphonic way, but adding that right level of mysticism to the Black Metal side. Riffs are somewhat repetitive, but can be forgiven as Schauer tries their best to add some more variety to their music. The vocals seem more restrained in the latter half of the album, but at the same time with things being less noisy, the instrumental work can be appreciated more, especially the bass on the final track which seems a bit lost in the first half of the album. Overall, fans who like Black Metal bordering their Falls of Rauros meets Blackbraid (minus the Native American influence) will find it enjoyable as ‘Roaring Thunder of Days Long Passed’ blends melody with harshness but never quite letting one completely overtake the other. Don’t expect any soft acoustic moments that drag on too long like looking over the edge of a mountain awaiting a fall or being beaten to death by an upside down cross from the likes of Gorgoroth.
This is fine Melodic/Atmospheric Black Metal to enjoy.
Kvlt und Kaos Productions
- Country: Austria
- Style: Death Metal, Black Metal, Thrash Metal, Doom Metal
- Links: Homepage, Facebook, Instagram, Bandcamp, Youtube
