Review IMPURE WILHELMINA ‘Antidote’

Rock and metal from Switzerland, that’s for a lot of metal fans connected to names like Celtic Frost, Krokus, Gotthard, Shakra and others. A band that represent the post-metal scene, coming from Lake Geneva, is Impure Wilhelmina.

Founded 25 years ago, the band established itself as an important act in their home country with growing reputation, first locally and than boarder-crossing. Six full-length albums have seen the light of day so far and the seventh was in the making over the last months. ‘Antidote’ is the title of this new ten songs including record that celebrates for a next time the dark and melancholic side of music.

The title, in a way, fits very well into the current context of life with everybody eagerly looking to get a vaccine shot to fight the virus. It’s an antidote we are looking for and what Impure Wilhelmina captures musically on their newest strike is the wistful feeling during the waiting time before a vaccine helps to push away the dark clouds that covers heart and soul these days.

A song, that stands exemplary for the basic vibe on the album is ‘Jasmines’. Big soundscapes meet gloom in an emotionally touching way. The song slowly builds up in intensity and hands things over to ‘Vicious’. The latter sticks to the basic mood that’s captured on the album but adds some heaviness to the mix and it is a bit more gothic that comes to surface. Also to mention is ‘Unpredicted Sky’. It is not only the longest track on the album, but also a tune that includes with some accentuated used raspy vocals, with a tendency towards growls, an addition stylistic device that intensifies the basic spirit of ‘Antidote’.

‘Antidote’ is an album that doesn’t embrace that sun. It touches the dark site of the human soul and in a way, it also shows the grayish fascination of this human aspect. If you prefer gloom over bloom, then it is this album that provides joy.