Artist......: Duindwaler
Album.......: In het Heemskerks duin
Year........: 2024
Genre.......: Black Metal
Label.......: War Productions
Source......: WEB (16bit)
Encoder.....: libFLAC
Bitrate.....: 1093kbps avg.
F.Rate......: 44.1kHz
Playtime....: 00:36:05 / 296.37MB
R.Date......: 2024-03-21
S.Date......: 2024-03-22
Website.....: http://play.qobuz.com/album/zxnslit9ll4oc
01. Vaderlands vuur 7:52
02. Razende wind 4:36
03. In het Heemskerks duin 6:44
04. Het duister bestormd 5:17
05. Alle rust verdwenen 5:30
06. Schim in de duinen 6:06
If you have read last yearÆs review of ôVerloren Vertellingenö you have
read my enthusiasm of the bands presented on this album. Duindwaler was one
of these bands, and in that review I mentioned: ôDaan (sole musician of
this musical endeavor) proves to be an accomplished musician and I hope to
hear much more of Duindwaler in the near future.ö
Well, it didnÆt take a long time, because the future is here. This time
Duindwaler presents its first full length. This means itÆs time for another
review to dissect the six concoctions presented on ôIn het Heemskerks
Duinö.
On the review of ôVerloren Vertellingenö I mentioned that this act presents
raw, orthodox Black Metal. With the newest spawn, this is also the case.
Never change a winning formula, isnÆt it? And deservedly so because I can
find the tracks of the above-mentioned album frequently on my record
player. Regarding the newest album: at first it took me quite some time to
fully grasp the songs. The production is primitive, gritty, and very raw.
After playing the album in full several times the songs showed their
qualities. The songs are rooted in the legendary nineties, which is a plus
in my opinion. The vocals are harsh, raw, and low pitched but fit the music
very well. Also, this time Dutch folklore, tales, and history are again
packed in Dutch lyrics adding extra atmosphere.
But I must admit that the songs sometimes are a bit too repetitive for my
taste. Especially the drums are pummeling their way through the songs and,
except for some stops, pattern shifts and breaks, could have had a bit more
variety. Also, I am missing some variety. Simply put: the songs, albeit
executed very well, tend to show a lot of resemblances towards each other.
The album starts with ôVaderlands Vuurö, which roughly translated means
fatherlandÆs fire, and takes no prisoners. Expect no intro, Duindwaler
starts with brute force and great guitar riffs creating a dark and intense
atmosphere. ôRazende Windö (raging wind) is in the same vein as its
predecessor. Its fast, aggressive and blasts through your speakers (or
whatever output you are using) until the slower mid-section gives you a
breather à albeit just for a while.
The title track ôIn het Heemskerks Duinö is in the same vein, and here is
where I am starting to miss some variety, as mentioned above. Although the
songs on their own sound great, have great riffs and show an atmosphere I
really can appreciate, the songs combined are starting to feel too similar.
The same goes for the remaining three songs. It took me some effort to
listen tothis album in one go. And thatÆs a pity because Daan can surely
make some haunting and brooding songs. Especially when listening to the
closing track ôSchim in de Duinenö you can hear real promise for the
future. This song really nails it with great guitar riffs, momentum and
tension and proves to be a fitting closing track which makes you hungry for
more.
So, in the end ôIn het Heemskerks Duinö is a good album but doesnÆt meet my
expectations. Just a little more variety and some slower tracks, just to
give some time to recuperate as a listener, and Duindwaler has the right
recipe to be on top of their game and being a good contender for the Dutch
Black Metal throne (although there is a lot of competition). On the other
hand, this album isnÆt something to be ashamed of either. There are plenty
of great song structures to be discovered, and overall the song writing and
production fits the genre and should please Black Metal fans. Just give
this album a go yourself and decide whether I am right or not on behalf of
my remarks.