Some people just can’t be rushed. Neu Asen Land is the first sign of life from the German atmospheric/progressive black metal band Bergthron since 2010. That’s a 15-year hiatus lasting almost the entire time that our beloved blog has been in operation! The exact identities of the band members have historically been difficult to ascertain,¹ but the promotional material describes them as explorers who used this time for expeditions to remote forests and the Arctic Circle. Talk about a sabbatical! Given all of this, I expect I’m far from the only one who hadn’t heard of Bergthron before now. However, when even an unfamiliar group survives such a long break it bakes a certain level of interest into the new offering. After all, why break the silence after all this time without something worth saying?

Neu Asen Land’s most striking quality is how it manages to be both rugged and refined. This is evident from the intro “Skandinavische Expansion” which features a medley of gruff chants and growls on top of subdued piano keys. The vocals are a many-headed beast, with at least two members working together at any given time to produce rough shouts and sonorous cleans. Bergthron abandoned the darker, more industrial feel of 2010’s EXP. Autarktis somewhere along the way in favor of an eclectic blend of Sólstafir’s free-spirited rock, Borknagar’s brisk progressive black metal, and Havukruunu’s raw verve. They eschew many of the modern editing conventions, resulting in a more natural, unfiltered sound. Despite the lengthy hiatus, there’s no doubt that these guys are still comfortable playing together.

Bergthron make it abundantly clear that they write and perform solely on their own terms. The drumming is energetic, with rapid-fire double kick and long, indulgent fills (“Aufbruch nach Neu Asen Land,” “Gefangene der Polarnacht”). The bass lines in songs such as “SOG” and “Horizont in Flammen” are distinct and intricate, on par with those of the guitar. Like the weather, the musical conditions can drastically change without notice. Bergthron often slow down and let their prog rock roam free; much of “Gefangene der Polarnacht” in particular sounds akin to a blackened Rush. They play with temperature contrasts by placing balmy guitar melodies alongside shimmering wintery synths, which gives Neu Asen Land the feel of a sunny, snowy day. These atypical song structures might be jarring to some, but I find them charming overall.

Neu Asen Land’s biggest shortcoming is there isn’t quite enough of it to go around. At 32 minutes, there is zero bloat–exactly what one might expect of lean outdoorsmen. Of course, this isn’t a problem on its own, but every minute is even more important when there are less of them to spare, and this is why the concluding track “Skaldenruhm erstarrt in Zeit” falls so flat. It’s not a bad song, but it begins with eerie synths and ends with weak meandering, closing the album with a whimper in stark contrast with the vibrancy that came before. If Bergthron hadn’t let their blazing campfire die a bit too early, Neu Asen Land would likely be knocking on the door of greatness.

While I wasn’t able to send Bergthron off, Neu Asen Land is of such quality that I’m happy to welcome them back. They are clearly a well-traveled group of individuals and this is reflected in every fiber of their comeback album. While undeniably lacking polish, it possesses a handcrafted charm that I’m unlikely to experience again anytime soon. I can recommend this for those who like their black metal lively and unpredictable. If one of your New Year’s resolutions is to discover more good music in 2025, Neu Asen Land stands ready to help start the year strong.

Rating: 3.5/5.0
DR: 8 | Format Reviewed: 320 kbps mp3
Label: Trollzorn Records
Websites: bergthron.bandcamp.com | bergthron.de
Releases Worldwide: January 6th, 2025

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