Despite how dense and sprawling the genre can be, there is the plain truth of oversaturation to be had when dealing with something like black metal. There’s just so much out there that it can oftentimes feel as though there’s just too many bands out there for us to sift through and thus can sometimes make it feel as though there’s not enough quality to be had amongst the overwhelming amount of material that’s out there. As such, exceptional acts can effortlessly fall through the cracks and under our radars. I have had my own fair share of names that have gone right pass my field of vision in the underground for one reason or another with Granitader a perfect example of that. With its forthcoming EP, I find myself upset that I was not fortunate enough to discover this act sooner.

It was only two years ago that Granitader got the ball rolling with its material, and it’s in that time that it’s clear the act has come a long way and achieved much more than what would normally be expected for a band that has only been around for such a short amount of time. It was last year that I heard more than a few whispers of Granitader given the name put out an album last year, but it is with this new EP of “Schlachtenklang” that I find myself wishing those whispers were far louder and more prominent. What’s accomplished in a scant sixteen-minute EP is more than what some bands are able to pull off across multiple albums. Tapping into a kind of enthralling magic that can only be described as pagan to me, “Schlachtenklang” holds nothing back and makes damn sure in every given moment that we are thrusted wholly into an experience that doesn’t just have a handful of rhythms to call its own, but, rather, a singularly captivating blend of riffs and diversity amongst its three tracks to catch the ear of any who come before it as Granitader’s meticulous implementation of melody, clean vocals, and a surprising use of traditional instrumentation to elevate this black metal far above much of the competition. It bores into your skull and lights a fire in your soul such that you have no choice but to be utterly captivated by what “Schlachtenklang” has to offer right from the very beginning.

The sort of creation that’s short and undeniably sweet with loads of triumph and ancient brotherhood hardened by battle that black metal loves to attempt by rarely succeeds in such a form as what’s done here, I can only hope that “Schlachtenklang” is just the beginning for what Granitader can be. Given the reputation of its predecessor and the excellence it throws down in virtually every moment, this EP gives Granitader the opportunity to not just seize the moment and take this corner of black metal for their own but carve out a unique path for themselves at once. Time will only tell, and I for one will wait however long it takes to see such glory come to fruition.

“Schlachtenklang” releases on April 4th via Purity Through Fire!

LISTEN to an advanced track from “Schlachtenklang” on Bandcamp here or via YouTube below.

LIKE Granitader on Facebook here.