ALBUM REVIEW: Innern – Der Weg Einer Freiheit

In the world of progressive black metal, artists like WOLVES IN THE THRONE ROOM and HARAKIRI FOR THE SKY jostle for prime position, but not far behind them are DER WEG EINER FREIHEIT. Their name translating to ‘The Path to Freedom’, the German quartet have been going about their business with a confidence that probably deserves more plaudits – 2017’s Finisterre was a level above their previous work enough, but 2021’s Noktvrn was their best album to date at that point, a hugely impressive record of poise and despair. Now faced with the task of topping that is sixth album Innern.

Innern is the German for inward, and it’s an apt title – not only are DER WEG EINER FREIHEIT taking an inward look at the human psyche across the six songs that make up the album, but the blend of black and post-metal provide a strong platform for the listeners to reflect on their own psychology. It’s a powerful combination, although opening track Marter is firmly in the more extreme world, eerie opening notes being improved with each instrument at regular intervals before, two minutes into the nine-and-a-half minute song, the drums are rolling and the guitars wailing. The third quarter is hypnotic in nature; there are the odd note changes, but otherwise the same tempo and patterns until, just as the magic begins to wane, the song shifts again and Nikita Kamprad‘s harsh, scathing vocals return, although it’s a more melodic end.

Xibalba, the longest song on the album, is where the post-metal shows itself: without warning, the song drops into ambience, which builds back up with cleaner guitars, choral voices and more deliberate drum patterns that aren’t the stereotypical barrage you often find in black metal.

The beginning of Eos follows the gentler end of its predecessor, although it does eventually revert back to black metal; there’s a touch of the symphonic about the song too, but certainly not in the overblown way that you would expect from someone like DIMMU BORGIR. As well as fronting the band, Kamprad produced and mixed the album and he deserves a lot of flowers for the result; it’s crisp and clear, which allows for a far better impact.

The second half of the record begins with Fragment building ominously; it’s here we hear Kamprad‘s clean vocals for the first time before the song explodes into double bass kick and more wailing guitars, thrusting the listener back into an audible darkness. Then, a curveball; Finisterre III is entirely piano. A short, two-minute interlude that packs a strong, melancholic punch, it’s end is marked by a single, isolated breath, inviting a personal interpretation. Closing track Forlorn looks like it may well mirror Eos by building an ambient soundscape and then, just when you think it’ll erupt, Kamprad‘s voice breaks through, clear as day, perfect English. And it grabs you instantly. The black metal does make a final appearance, but the final minute of the record is another beautiful, ambient composition, the calmness after the storm and contemplate what has come before.

Black metal isn’t always about Satan, burning churches and high-pitched screaming; sometimes, it’s a journey of finding one’s self and confronting individual vulnerabilities. DER WEG EINER FREIHEIT are masters of this introspective view, and Innern is a shining testament to that. Consider Noktvrn bettered, this album is sublime.

Rating: 9/10

Innern is out now via Season Of Mist. 

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