Album Review: Finsterforst – Still (AOP Records)

Still is the latest album from German outfit Finsterforst, due for release on 31st July via AOP Records. Formed in 2004, the band have spent more than two decades forging their own path through the extreme metal world, combining black metal, folk, progressive and atmospheric influences into what they describe as ‘Black Forest Metal’. Across six full-length albums, an EP and numerous line-up changes, Finsterforst have consistently challenged themselves, refusing to be tied to one particular style while maintaining a recognisable identity throughout.

That willingness to evolve has become one of Finsterforst’s defining characteristics. While their earliest material leaned heavily into folk and pagan metal, later releases have expanded the band’s sound considerably, embracing longer song structures and broader influences without abandoning the melodies and intensity that have always been at their core. Their previous release, Jenseits, saw the band take another ambitious step with a single, album-length composition, reinforcing the idea that Finsterforst have little interest in standing still creatively.

Produced by Christoph Brandes at Iguana Studios and featuring artwork by Yaroslav Gerzhedovich, Still consists of seven new songs alongside two cover versions, giving Finsterforst almost 80 minutes to showcase the latest evolution of their sound.

Finsterforst is Olli Berlin on vocals, Johannes Joseph on vocals and accordion, Simon Käflein on guitars, vocals, synth & orchestral arrangements, David Schuldis on guitars, Tobias Weinreich on bass, Cornelius Heck on drums and Sebastian Scherrer on keyboards. Still also features special guests in Shanty Peter und die Badweihermatrosengewerkschaftskapelle (Flo, André, Johnny, Tobi & Tolo) of the epic Black Forest choir.

Still gets underway with Obduktion and, in typical Finsterforst fashion, it’s a huge track full of mystery and magic. A slow start with clean vocals transforms into darker sounds with booming drums, hard-hitting riffs, all upon a bed of keys and atmospheric backing. As traditional instruments wind in, you find yourself barely two minutes into this near eight-minute epic and fully transfixed. The verses bring harsh vocals before choir vocals take over and then the chorus, cleanly and emphatically sung, brings masterful harmonies. With Finsterforst, there is always so much going on but here, like on previous releases, it all works, creating a massive atmospheric track that has heaviness, beauty and a sinister mystery to it.

Herbstwanderung keeps the quality high with a ton of groove in the intro. Big bass lines and drums, combined with angelic choir backing, lead us into another very atmospheric track. The verses drop down into softened vocals and gentle melodies as we take a walk through the Black Forest with the band. As the verse closes, choir and gang vocals take over and genuinely raise every hair on my arms. I am so in awe of their song writing ability and their creativity. Authenticity also runs throughout Still as the band continue to write and sing in their native language. I can barely understand a word they say, but I feel every note and syllable. It’s another stunning track where everything is a standout moment, but I must say the orchestration in the latter half of the song is superbly cinematic.

Knie nieder is a shorter song by Finsterforst standards at just four minutes long, but they make good use of that time. They start by hitting us with some crunchy riffs and drums before the deep vocals join in. There is a stop-start style to the verses, with the vocals sung over clean guitars, then they stop and the riffs take over, they stop and the vocals come back. The chorus shows off the immense vocal talent and range across the whole band, while a musical break that brings in the orchestration, including their trademark horns, is masterful. Im Wind comes next and, like Obduktion, is one of the singles, so it’s a song I have already had plenty of time with.

This is Finsterforst at their most epic and creative. With a ten-and-a-half-minute runtime, you can just imagine the scale of the track. I often get too descriptive in these reviews, so I’ll try not to do that here as I could probably write 500 words on this song alone. Suffice to say that if you know Finsterforst and are a fan, this is them doing their thing. Utilising every one of the considerable weapons in their armoury. Harsh vocals, clean vocals, choirs, harmonising, big riffs, heavy drums, keys, accordion, orchestration – you name it, they use it and they use it well. Bringing us on an atmosphere-filled journey with them as we move through phase after phase in this epic track.

Still Nacht is another one of the singles and, while a touch shorter, is probably my favourite of the three released so far and, considering how much I love them all, that is some statement. There is a tiny bit more simplicity to this track structurally. It follows more of a verse, chorus, verse pattern with harsh verses and a massive clean and harmonised chorus. Of course, we still have expert vocals, loads of feeling and atmosphere and exceptional orchestration – it’s never going to be that simple with a band as creative as these. There is also a gorgeous slowdown that will fully mesmerise you and, as the drums and orchestration start to grow back in with the acoustic melody, they demonstrate what should be the dictionary definition of epic in heavy metal. Amazing song.

With just a couple of original tracks left, Still continues with Fels, a song that delivers an abundance of atmosphere and emotion. It’s a beautiful ballad that showcases exceptional vocal talent over a bed of clean acoustic guitars. The flow of the song is hypnotising and it is quite a simple track. It’s also very effective though, refreshing the palate and allowing you to just sit back, close your eyes and let the magic wash over you.

So, after that nice straightforward track, we reach the proper end of Still with Leere. There are still two cover tracks to come, but Leere is the true finale and, with a 24-minute runtime, it’s certainly a song of epic proportions. It’s probably not one for the casual listener due to its length, but for fans of Finsterforst, seeing a song this long just brings excitement. We know what they can do and expectations will be high.

Finsterforst exceed those expectations comfortably as we embark on an epic journey showcasing their many considerable strengths through a song that flows like a story. A story with words I don’t understand, but I feel. Heavy verses lead into clean choruses, charging riffs transform into acoustic beauty, the vocals move between harsh, clean and choir arrangements, while the bass and drums bring power at times, subtle catchiness at others and layer upon layer of depth. The keys and backing build further upon that depth, adding atmosphere and exhilaration.

It’s cinematic in every sense, epic in sound, style and size and, despite its length, it never once feels long. A few of the moments that really grabbed me were the unexpected accordion solo and then the heaviest groove that comes in with the riffs and drums straight afterwards. That’s fire! The choir vocals throughout are exceptional and I love the guitar solo around the twentieth minute. Small moments, and I could pick so many more, but suffice to say this is a stunning piece of art.

Cover-wise, we get an Immortal cover with Beyond the North Waves. It might seem an odd choice, but it works and Finsterforst make it their own, adding their modern production and style to a classic black metal track. If you don’t like Immortal, don’t worry, the cover is of such a quality that it could easily pass as a Finsterforst song. If you do like Immortal, you’ll really enjoy Finsterforst’s take on it. It’s quite true to the original, it’s just elevated really. Orchestral depth is added alongside modern production and Finsterforst’s vocals and overall sound. I really like it.

The second cover, and final track on Still, is Pink Floyd’s Another Brick in the Wall Pt. II. Again, an odd choice, and with it being such a heavily covered song I could live without this one to be honest. It is well done though, and Finsterforst certainly try to make it their own, but with it being such a well-known song that was always going to be difficult. They heavy it up considerably and the vocal talent within the band shines through nicely. If you care for the original, you’ll enjoy this take on it.

Finsterforst continue to prove that they are one of the most creative and gifted bands in modern extreme metal. Still is a masterclass in song writing, packed with atmosphere, emotion and moments of breath-taking scale, yet never forgetting to deliver memorable melodies and crushing heaviness. Every member of the band is exceptional at what they do and together they create music that feels cinematic, epic and completely absorbing from start to finish. Put simply, this is one of the very best albums you are likely to hear this year.

Track List:

1. Obduktion
2. Herbstwanderung
3. Knie nieder
4. Im Wind
5. Stille Nacht
6. Fels
7. Leere
8. Beyond the north waves (Immortal cover)
9. Another brick in the wall Pt. II (Pink Floyd cover)

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