It has become somewhat expected that all Black Metal bands or at least those worth mentioning should be spawned in Norway and it’s conveyer belt production line that has seen the likes of Immortal, Emperor and Mayhem all emerge. Compare this then to Germany’s contribution to Black Metal and it could be written on the back of a postage stamp. Quietly yet assuredly Kiel’s Endstille have begun to forge a reputation as Germany’s finest exponents of the fastest and ugliest Black Metal to date.

Many of the genres leading lights have the unenviable but deserved tag as being nothing more than clones of one another, all interchangeable, all proclaiming their evilness while sporting little or no originality. Endstille have chosen to embrace their roots and are unashamedly at one with their sound and self image. From the opening bars of “Among Our Glorious Existence” “Endstille Reich” is given validation by its traditional murky production, akin to the classic sound of the early releases of the likes of Bathory or Hellhammer.

The similarities and influence of Burzum, Emporer and Mayhem runs through “Endstille Reich” from beginning to end. From the high pitched demonic shrieks of Iblis to the distorted tremolo picking of L. Wachtfels, all have the hallmark of traditional Black Metal. Taking the time to scratch the surface reveals a distinct if not constant Venom influence; a homage to the early wave of true Black Metal. “Endstille Reich” will mark the card of all who have an abundance of the new(er) wave of Black Metal within their collection and is by no means a modern classic but sure to provide a much needed fix and will ward off any withdraw symptoms from metal of the Blackest verity.