It is now the seventh opus of these Bavarian forest–whisperers, and since their formation in 2005 the men surrounding linchpin Winterherz have steadily evolved. From the very beginning they opted for a slightly unconventional approach within the genre, and on this second part of the diptych they push that line even further—with more daring, more depth, and above all, more individuality.
Where their earlier work relied heavily on a purely atmospheric foundation, this release seems to open a new chapter: a sound that does not merely sing of the forest, but breathes it, creaks with it, and growls beneath its roots, as if the Woud itself whispers its message through the music.
With part two they take a step that goes beyond mere experimentation; it feels like a deliberate rite of passage, an expansion of their musical horizons without abandoning the mist-shrouded melancholy that has defined their sound for years. What that sounds like exactly? We’ll return to that in a moment—but it is clear that this album is far more than a simple continuation.
They spent no less than four years crafting this twin release—a period interrupted only briefly by an EP in 2023. Yet despite these detours, the wait until these new records finally saw daylight was long and, at times, torturous. Dahoam felt to me like a slight dip in an otherwise solid body of work, but judging by these new Knochengesänge, the band has clearly regained, and even surpassed, its former strength. The ship has found its course again—back into the darkened depths of the Bavarian woods.
The unique alchemy of Atmospheric Black Metal blended with folk elements and that unmistakable scent of moss and resin comes fully alive here. Each riff feels like a cold breath cutting through the spruces, each percussive strike like the snapping of damp branches in twilight. Production-wise everything sits exactly where it should: with Markus Stock (Empyrium) at the helm, the sound gains not only clarity but true depth—a spaciousness that lingers like an echo between the trees.
And then there is Album II: the same compositions, yet approached from an entirely different angle. Where the first record digs deep into the forest floor, this counterpart chooses a more open and exploratory path. From acoustic folk to sweeping post-rock textures to alternative rock, the songs are reimagined with the same components—old spirits in new bodies. Daring? Certainly. But above all it showcases the musicians’ versatility, their willingness to explore new boundaries without losing sight of their own shadows.
Whether every devoted fan will appreciate this shift remains uncertain; the purists may well raise an eyebrow. But those willing to wander the side paths off the main trail will find a surprisingly rich mosaic of sounds—one that does not replace the original songs but reflects, transforms, and dissects them, as if one were hearing the same legend told from a different circle around the fire.
Album I : 85
Album II : 75