When your band makes waves, it can be quite the feat to keep that trend going. It’s one thing to make a singular piece that captures the attention of the masses, but it’s truly something to constantly impress. Since their first effort seventeen years ago, Finsterforst has been travelling down a path that has led them to becoming one of the most respected and prolific names in all of modern folk metal with good reason. Their expansive creation have always been something to lose yourself in, and it was in their 2021 Kickstarter campaign for an EP that was proposed to be one of the band’s boldest efforts yet, many of us were eager to lend our support. After much patience and plenty of speculation, the reality of “Jenseits” stands as an undeniable reward for those of us who have waited so patiently for its arrival and a trip that demands to be taken for those who are just now aware of the EP’s creation.

Anytime a band crafts something that they claim to be an effort that’s designed to be a landmark release, caution is always recommended. I wanted to have nothing but confidence given the reputation and track record of Finsterforst up to this point with the teasers certainly interesting in every right, but I did not want to be disappointed should “Jenseits” unfortunately go south. Luckily, with masters at the helm and a tenacious sense of detail, this EP more than definitely stands out as one of Finsterforst’s most engaging and complete creations yet.

The evolution of Finsterforst has been quite a sight to behold if you’ve been following the act for years. They’ve effortlessly become an act in the world of folk metal that stands on their own merits with each album successfully bringing the band’s unique flavors and personality in tremendous detail every single time without fail such that every new creation of Finsterforst is deserving of speculation. Hands down, “Jenseits” is the most captivating work of Finsterforst that I’ve come across. Even compared to some of their more impressive work, this 39-minute creation of one massive epic divided into four distinct acts stands monolithically tall for all that it dares to be. A vast expanse of ingenuity on top of a masterful understanding of the style at hand, Finsterforst impresses at every turn. Combined with an eclectic menagerie of instruments, powerful vocals that come from the very sky, and heaviness alongside titanic melodies, Finsterforst’s very essence instantly enables “Jenseits” to become something that is not to be trifled with nor ignored for so much as a microsecond. The world comes alive at the band’s behest with the winds whipping at all times to cull the unfaithful whilst the unwavering are able to bask in all that “Jenseits” is. The EP is many things, but one thing remains constant for its entire length more than anything else: excellence is all but synonymous with the entire creation.

After several delays and many promises, it’s hard to look upon this EP and not feel as though this is the best possible result for what Finsterforst sought to deliver with “Jenseits”. The clear result of almost twenty years of an evolving sound to become more than any of us could have anticipated with the quality and power to match such splendor, all roads have led Finsterforst here. There are plenty of albums to consider, but it’s clear to me that “Jenseits” will stand as one of the most compelling works that 2023 will have thrown my way when it is all said and done with it being likely that it takes the cake for folk metal album of the year. It would take quite a mammoth creation to dethrone this work, and Finsterforst clearly came prepared to defend their reputation, their title, and that very crown.

“Jenseits” releases on September 8th via AOP Records!

LISTEN to an advanced track from “Jenseits” on Bandcamp here.

LIKE Finsterforst on Facebook here.