A civilization’s history being buried in the ruins as the new overlords try to warp the past. Can you imagine such a thing?! We really need a sarcasm font. Anyway, it’s nothing new, and it’s happening right now, and if there isn’t a serious move to stop such a thing, only people in the underground of societies truly will know what made us into who we are.

Dornenbahn’s debut EP tells a similar story, a past lying in ruins with only the people with strains of the real story left to fight and spread what actually happened. This is a project helmed by artist J. Füchslin, and the band’s name means “Path of Thorns.” On this five-track first offering, we hear of these tales dressed in raw black metal and rousing dungeon synth, a perfect melding of sounds to unearth history long since buried. And while the tales might reside in fantasy, the songs easily could be a metaphor to the age in which we’re living now, where our would-be overlords want to push us into the ground and silence us forever to prevent the truth from surviving. By the way, only a label link below as this project has no social media profile of which to speak.

“Hand of War” starts with a key blur, anguished cries, and growls that retch, the drums rattling. Keys glow as the power buckles, everything dropping away. “Morgen Fällt Der Schatten Nieder” attacks with shrieks that blend into pounding howls, the drums hammering into oblivion. Keys tingle as the pace jolts, vicious calls scarring the psyche, grim tidings sickening, and the synth melting into a different plane of existence. “All Flesh Rots the Same” has animals calling out, dark electricity bustling, and then fiery, demonic shrieks raining down like needles. The playing lashes harder as the synth clouds, bells warping through multiple dimensions, cold melodies stirring, fading into a whipping wind. “Auf Der Dornenbahn” has horns blaring as horses ride, wails stinging, choral dreams carrying you into a dreamland as fading guitars twist. Closer “Stillborn in Chaos” has keys slicing in as the vocals smear, strangling as the spirit moves into whirring synth. Darker melodies swell as the pace lashes back, the keys hypnotizing, the finals melodic twists blending in a reality warp.

Dornenbahn’s debut is enchanting and violent, a trip into a different reality, digging up new and tormenting tales of those who trampled underfoot. The fantasy-driven black metal is great Sunday afternoon listening, out in overgrown fields as you imagine battles overhead. Definitely looking for more of this project as it expands its music environment and what is possible inside.

To buy the album or for more on the label, go here: https://fiadh.bandcamp.com/