CD review NEÀNDER ‘eremit’

neànder is a rather new band, considering their start that dates back to 2017. Within these three years, the Berlin-based band was rather productive with a self-titled debut, shared with the world in 2019.

A year later the sophomre release ‘eremit’ has left the studio and carries another six songs, penned by the German quartet. neànder plays instrumental music that can be described as post metal in a larger framing. It’s the base for what neànder write and record, infused by some black metal references as well ambient that shimmers through here and there.

The band sketch blackened soundscapes with heavy riffing and an atmospheric expression. The core of the album are basically four songs. ‘Purpur’, ‘Eremit’, ‘Ora’ and ‘Atlas’ are seven to eleven minutes lasting songs that show a lot of solid craftsmanship throughout. Slowly presented and repetitive motives (‘Ora’) are one part of the this equation while the raging and blackened moments of the title track show another aspect of neànder. Last but not least there is with ‘Atlas’ an extralong and nuanced finale that summarizes everything heard before.

neànder deliver with their second album a very well-crafted longplayer that shows quite some depth and density. Exploring and discovering the shading of these six tunes is a perfect pastime in grey autumn season days.