29th December 2025

Review: “Zerfall” by Ellende

Nine records in fourteen years of existence confirms Ellende has a band who simply refuse to go away quietly. Founded by multi-instrumentalist L.G. in Graz, Austria in 2011 their journey began with debut EP “Rückzug in die Innerlichkeitˮ (or “Retreat into Inner Life“) and they haven’t looked back since. Originally conceived as an introverted, misanthropic, and anonymous project to paint portraits of pain in atmospheric Post-Black Metal, the project grew legs and has toured the globe with a collection of internationally recognized live act with session musicians known for their work in Nekrodeus, Norikum and Harakiri for the Sky filling in the gaps. Over the years lyrical themes have evolved alongside the music, moving from early reflections on misanthropy, nature and isolation to later explorations of human nature, social criticism, war, loss, despair and dementia. The new album “Zerfall” (or “Decay“) is no different, portraying the state of being shattered into fragments and the slow, painful process of rebuilding oneself: a confrontation with the void and ultimately a triumph over it…

While the song titles are in German the bands name has its roots in the Dutch language with Ellede essentially meaning “misery“, which is the perfect description for a project of atmospheric Black Metal. As with their finest works “Zerfall” begins with a melodic introduction piece in “Nur” (or “Only“) that intertwines a sample about endless cycles with no change with melodic guitars to evoke a deep sense of melancholia. That builds the mountain upon which “Wahrheit Teil I” (or “Truth Part I“) stands as the caustic vocals come into play for the first time, offering emotional depth and stark contrast to the melodic soundscape that accompanies them. There is a haunting whispered moment before an acoustic rhythm guitar is introduced to underpin a solo, some traditional percussion instruments and what sounds like an accordion follow, all adding to the rich tapestry. Spellbinding and captivating, the longer instrumental passages are mournful and yet inventive before bursting into life with bloodcurdling vocals ensuring that the seven minute surpassing first track proper keeps you on your toes. “Wahrheit Teil II” (or “Truth Part II“) is cut from the same cloth and has a sublime extended solo as well as potent double kick drumming and big cymbal crashes to bring everything together for a barnstorming crescendo.

Title track “Zerfall” (or “Decay“) has a sense of epic grandeur to it with the dull ache of a grand piano and the unique sound of the wire fibers of a drum brush on the cymbals. Flirting with Blackgaze and Jazz textures before the raspy dry throated vocals rear their ugly head once more pushes not only the boundaries of the project but also that of the discerning listener and so its no surprise that transcendence to Post-Black Metal happens before the decent into madness begins. There are some almost choral ethereal clean vocals during “Übertritt” (or “Transfer“) which has a dark almost Folk Metal element to it. Deeply melancholic to the point of being soul stirring, this one echoes recent burnt offerings from Harakiri for the Sky with its power before “Ode ans Licht” (or “Ode to Light“) throws back to “Sunbather” by Deafheaven as it exposes a wider influence. Capturing the feeling of the morning after the night before as dawns first light hits a window pane and the night terrors subside, it has an ethereal beauty to it, the tremolo picked guitars and group vocals giving it the depth to match its beauty.

Klara Bachmair from co-conspirators Firtan who provides the violin for “Zeitenwende Teil I” (or “Turning Point Part I“) as she joins the dance macabre of the somber piano introduction before the guitar, bass and drums come into play. If you wanted to be hyper critical that moment isn’t as seamless as it should have been but after the jolt of the first few listens it fades like old pain. A third of the way through the rich melodies are replaced by a traditional Black Metal outburst as the floodgates of emotion are opened by blast beats and a savage, rage fueled vocal performance. Thunderous bass and stormy guitars provide arguably the most rousing moment of the album and that force of nature continues into “Zeitenwende Teil II” (or “Turning Point Part II“) which sees Ellede welcome Paul Färber of Norikum. He lends his throat to a raging Death Metal style bridge into a tasteful extended solo, a stunningly epic virtuoso one following further down the line. A sample and synths introduce the grand finale that is “Reise” (or “Trip“) a song that feels like it’s the precursor to a gun fight outside a burning church with its cinematic overtones. It has a glorious rise and fall to it with some delicate melodies from the guitars that boil over into furious blast beats and cathartic screams before it reaches its final resting place. An astonishing piece of work, this album will leave you starring into the middle distance wondering just what truly matters [8.5/10]

Track Listing