There are few genres that I hold in high esteem, and one of them is post-black metal. For me, it lies at the intersection between my deep fascination for post-metal and my fondness for black metal, two genres I have come to love over time. Now, I have heard of Agrypnie before and have enjoyed their previous release, Metamorphosis, so I had high expectations for the band’s newest album, Erg. Curious about this album, I decided to listen to it and see if it met expectations.

Erg opens with a mood-setting introduction, as the first track “Aus rauchlosem Feuer” begins slowly before bursting to life with powerful vocals and guitar riffs. This song showcases Agrypnie’s willingness to defy genre conventions by blending post-metal instrumentation with black metal intensity. The transition between these two musical elements creates captivating musical passages. The following track, “Meer ohne Wasser,” maintains the intense atmosphere and aggressive instrumentation while emphasizing a more post-metal sound. This track can be described as a beautiful composition with black metal elements. Together, these songs establish the album’s themes: an emotional journey into the unknown, with an uncertain conclusion.

As the album progresses, it’s easy to get immersed in Agrypnie’s talent for crafting compelling riffs. Despite consisting of just two members, Agrypnie excels in instrumentation, seamlessly transitioning from majestic soundscapes reminiscent of Summoning to the raw energy of what could be described as black’n’roll. This versatility is prominently displayed in “Entität,” where a groovy bassline complements the chilling atmosphere, marking a significant progression for Agrypnie while staying rooted in the post-black metal genre. This shift in style provides a refreshing contrast, setting the stage for potential future explorations into this musical direction.

Now, despite my overall enjoyment of the record, Erg has some issues, with the most glaring being its production. While there are parts that are better mixed than others, the production overall feels like an afterthought. Everything seems to be too loud, with the vocals sounding as muddled as the instrumentation. The vocals also have a tendency to sit on top of the mix, which can lead to parts of the instrumentation – a highlight of this record – being completely wiped away. There are moments where you can’t tell either of them apart; you spend so much time trying to understand what is happening that you can get lost in the details. The only thing you can hear clearly is the drumming, as it seems to be the only element in the mix that comes through clearly without being too loud. Perhaps that may have been the intent, but it wasn’t executed correctly. I know that there is something beautiful and majestic about Erg brimming under the surface; I just wish I could hear it.

In the end, “Erg” is a wonderfully aggressive album that is unfortunately held back by its production. As someone who enjoyed “Metamorphosis” enough to place it in their honorable mentions ages ago, I wish “Erg” was not a step back for Agrypnie’s overall musical journey. Regardless of my complaints, I still believe that Agrypnie is one of the stronger black metal bands out there, creating compelling music that is reflective of the times. Post-black metal can be a challenging genre to pull off, and the fact that Agrypnie did so is a testament to their ability as excellent musicians.

— Hera

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Erg is available now on AOP Records. For more information on Agrypnie, visit their official Facebook page.