Review DARK FORTRESS “Anthems From Beyond The Grave – Live In Europe 2023”

German black metal powerhouse Dark Fortress, founded in 1994, released “Spectres from the Old World” in 2020, which seems to be their last studio album. In 2023 Dark Fortress started the “Cosmic End Tour” with shows in Germany, but also at the legendary Baroeg, Rotterdam. The show there and the show at Matrix, Bochum one day later were recorded, and it is a mix of these two concerts that form the basis for the band’s first live album.

“Anthems From Beyond The Grave – Live In Europe 2023” is the title of this release, which features a tracklist of 15 songs. As it makes sense, the band created a setlist that showcases the entire musical output of the guys from Landshut, Germany. With “Crimson Tears” the band goes back to the very early days and what’s really special is the fact that a German band does the announcements in excellent Dutch. With “Isa” and “Pulling the Threads” two songs from the last studio album were played and the same goes for everything in between.

With “Evenfall” and “Baphomet” the finale of this release is reached and what remains of Dark Fortress are eight studio albums and one live release that sums up 30 years of black metal.

Equipped with an excellent sound that still represents the unbound energy of the live event, “Anthems From Beyond The Grave – Live In Europe 2023” is a dignified way to conclude an impressive career.

Dark Fortress belong to the spearhead of German black metal and found their own niche in this hellish genre. Rawness and progressive structures grew over time and allowed the band to establish their own trademark sound. What remains are longplayers that keep the morbid sound and spirit of this stunning band alive – forever.