Zorn, a German band, is new to me. I know nothing about them except what I hear on Schwarz Metall. Schwarz Metall is simple, straight-forward brutal black metal. No melody, no keyboards – just extreme, primitive blackness. The guitars really dominate in the mix and the bass guitar is quite prominent compared to most black metal bands.

Zorn is most definitely Darkthrone influenced, which makes the songs blend together and get monotonous. Schwarz Metall is not a release that makes you stand up and take notice, but it’s not your typical undercooked primitive black either. After you hear the first few minutes you know what the formula is and they stick to it throughout. If there is a standout track, “Wiederkehr” is it as it’s different from the rest in tempo; “Kriegserklarung an die Menschheit” is a close contender as well with its varying tempos as is “…In Flammen” with its brief solos.

I think you get the idea – no singularly stellar songs but plenty of nice tidbits sprinkled throughout. Overall I found this album enjoyable enough to pay attention for their next release but not one I’d recommend for the casual fan. If you are into this style you will like it for what it is, if you like more polished black metal, it may be a waste of your money. Personally, I’d buy it.

[Visit the band's website]

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