The band Teufelnacht from North Rhine-Westphalia (Germany) was completely unknown to me prior to this EP, but since their formation in 2019 they seem to have built up a solid reputation within the underground scene. When browsing our trusted encyclopedia, I came across several amusing and mildly provocative covers from their earlier releases, which immediately catch the eye and reveal a certain sense of playfulness. As if that weren’t remarkable enough, the band has even released a cover of a Gary Glitter song in the past, an unexpected and somewhat bizarre choice that fits perfectly with the eccentric character Teufelnacht appears to cultivate.
Once again, Graf Leichenstein (all instruments) and Kroil (vocals) have joined forces to deliver a new EP. The result can best be described as Blackened Punk: raw and aggressive, with the punk influences frequently outweighing the black metal elements.
Thematically, we are taken on a clear horror trip. With track titles such as Waldemar Daninsky—the werewolf character portrayed by Paul Naschy in the late ’70s and early ’80s, as well as Frankenstein, Vampier, and Folterplanet, the concept is more than obvious. The EP breathes an atmosphere heavily rooted in classic horror and cult cinema, which aligns perfectly with its rough musical approach.
What immediately stood out to me was Kroil’s vocal performance. As this was my first encounter with Teufelnacht, I quickly checked out some of their earlier releases to get a better overall picture. The vocal style strongly recalls the German darkwave scene of the 1990s, with clear parallels to bands such as Das Ich and Goethes Erben. Kroil manages to capture that distinctive, dark, and slightly theatrical vibe remarkably well, making the vocals a crucial part of Teufelnacht’s identity.
The production is solid and surprisingly clean for a band that leans so heavily toward punk. Everything sounds clear and tight without completely sacrificing rawness. The compositions are equally convincing: the tracks are compact, energetic, and memorable, giving the EP a strong sense of momentum.
I can easily imagine that this release won’t be for everyone. The theatrical German lyrics and pronounced punk attitude will likely be a complete no-go for many seasoned black metal purists. Personally, however, I find this EP by Teufelnacht quite enjoyable. It’s precisely this eccentric blend and the willingness to step outside rigid genre boundaries that makes the release engaging and entertaining to me.
79/100
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