Formed in 2021 as a one man project, the German band Finistère (“end of the lands” in French) is unleashing their maritime black metal on to the world with the ferocity of a northwestern storm.
Like said, Finistère formed in 2021 on the shores of the German Wadden Sea in Bremerhaven by M.D. and was the sole member on the first three releases (two ep’s and one full length: Decline and Fall (2021), Aux morts (2022) and Only the Tides Are for Ever (2023)). And showcased a very bleak and chilling sound, perfectly suited for the maritime theme. For those familiar with the Waddenzee can almost feel the cold from a northwestern storm coming in from the sea, when listening to the music of Finistère…
in 2024 F.L. was added to the lineup as a fulltime drummer on their fourth release, Shrieks and Howls and resulted in a more dynamic sound bringing even more atmosphere and depth to the overall sound…
Which brings us to their latest release “Am grauen Meer” (By the grey sea) released through “Ministry of Truth” on 12” vinyl, digital and CD.
First “big” change is the addition of a bass player, R.S. So Finistère is no longer a (one man) project but a complete band. Second, the lyrical language is changed from English to (the for black metal perfectly suited) German language.
Now let’s get to the music, we start of with a calm before the storm intro which transitions in to a wall of sound on “Niemandsland”. The first big change with the previous releases is the much more wider production, although a wall of sound you can hear all melodies and instruments. Which is refreshing as a walk on the beaches of the North Sea. But as a walk on those beaches weather can change in an instant, and the midtempo “Treibgut” (driftwood) will hit you head on with merciless force. A force continued in to the next track “Zertörer” (Destroyer) further showcasing their newfound wider atmospheric sound.
“Nebel” (mist) sets of as melodic track which invites you to take your boat and set of to the, at first sight calm sea. Only to realise it was only the eye of the storm… a very good track, one of the highlights so far on the album.
“Arngast” (an island which is swallowed by the sea, now a lighthouse) continues the ferocious barrage even further, fast yet very open atmospheric sound. “Grimme Herne” and “Hartwarden” set the stage for the albums last track, “Langwarden” the longest track on this release showcasing even more the new wider complete sound.
The new wider sound accompanied with the German language and good songwriting making this album on of my highlights of 2025 so far. I truly hope now that they have a full band we will see them on a stage in the near future…
90/100