ALBUM REVIEW: Jahresringe – Sündenklang

If you’ve never heard of STAHLMANN, it’s not going to cause a shock, but you should. Regularly regarded as ‘the new RAMMSTEIN‘, the Neue Deutsche Harte outfit have caused a real splash in their native Germany and it’s the voice of that band who is the focus here. Martin ‘Mart’ Soer has already brought out one album under his SÜNDENKLANG moniker (translation ‘Sound of Sin’) and today marks the release of his sophomore album Jahresringe (Annual Rings) via Drakkar Entertainment.

As the saying goes, the apple never falls far from the tree and in the case of Martin Soer, that is very much evident. Jahresringe might not feature guitars in overdrive or pounding drums, but the synths, keyboards and electronic elements that make up the album are so indicative of the Neue Deutsche Harte movement that it fits right at home there despite it’s poppier elements. In fact, to call this record a perfect blend of RAMMSTEIN, LINDEMANN, STAHLMANN and EINSBRECHER is both wholly unsurprising and perfectly succinct. The mood is set from the off, Schnitt um Schnitt conjuring a dark, moody shadow of industrial beats that compliment Soer‘s deep, brooding vocals beautifully, and this marriage takes the listener on an emotional rollercoaster that plays chicken with the sonic equivalent of a major thunderstorm. The sun does poke out occasionally, such as with Antiheld that boats a massive Eurodance foundation perfect for cyberpunks to strut their stuff, but for the most part this is melancholy, sprawling and reflective of the difficult and strange times the human race finds itself in at present.

The other major benefit to Jahresringe is that Soer is intelligent enough to mix things up a bit; yes, Antiheld is bouncier, but it doesn’t incorporate orchestration like Wenn Alles Brennt or Auf dem Weg. In both cases, SÜNDENKLANG moves from industrial to soundscape, the songs befitting sombre moments in films or scenes that require a rising in tension. However, the apex is Du bist Mein Licht, which translates as ‘You are My Light’ and features Leandra Ophelia Dax, formerly of APOPTYGMA BERZERK. With everything stripped back to just piano and the pair’s voices, it’s beautifully paced and incredibly moving,Leandra‘s angelic pipes providing the perfect foil to Soer‘s much lower tones. The harmonies between the two are nothing short of gorgeous and whilst it would have probably worked best as a closing song, allowing the listener some respite after the audio battering they’ve just received, that doesn’t detract from it in the slightest.

An album that truly speaks to someone and allows them to steady their own ship through these current choppy waters is an absolute blessing and SÜNDENKLANG have accomplished that with Jahresringe. Unless you’re fluent in German you’re not going to understand a word being said, but don’t let that bother you; just sit back, relax and let the album wash over you. This is a high quality immersive experience and will serve as one of the best releases within the industrial genre this year, easily.

Rating: 8/10

Jahresringe is out now via Drakkar Entertainment. 

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