Grendel's Sÿster - descending into the dream chamber of heavy metal

Grendel’s Sÿster

Katabasis into the Abaton/Abstieg in die Traumkammer

Cruz Del Sur Music

6 September 2024

If you listen to this band’s album, you will notice what type of statement they are making. Essentially, they sound like a band that wants you to hear music made by human beings, and not computers. By 2018 they released an EP called Orphic Gold Leaves/Orphische Goldblättchen in two versions, one in English and one in German, the latter being their native language. In 2019 did another EP called Myrtle Wreath/Myrtenkranz. Now in 2024 they make a strong comeback with a new album, which in plain English comes out to something like "descend into the dream chamber."

They sound like a metal band from the 1970s, with emphasis on the heavier side of Thin Lizzy or Led Zeppelin. Big melodies through the guitars in a sound of classic-rock heavy metal are an important feature of their sound. The singing works well with the music, whether in English or German. The singing sounds genuine, which is also the case with the drums, with the band making a serious effort to demonstrate music played by people, to show all the details of the drumming. It's pretty easy to hear what is happening with the drumming. It’s a fun listen, too.

Would you be interested in hearing musicians that want you to experience the sound of their musicianship and instrumentation? There are lots of bands that want to show their technological prowess or their studio magic. There are lots of bands that want to trick you, but what about a band that lays the cards on the table and shows you what they have, and simply asks, "Do you want to hear real rock?," with emphasis on the word real?

There are at least two reasons why this album is worthy of your time and money. First, it's difficult to imagine how a band could be more honest with the listener. This album sounds like real music and it's refreshing to hear something like this because we are all so used to the fraud of studio magic. Second, the songs are good: they range from hard-rocking tunes to anthems and a bit of folk in some segments. I have enjoyed the singing both in English and in German. Sometimes I feel like I prefer the German version, but then I hear the English version again, and it's just as good. The lyrics seem like stories from mythology or ancient times, told about a different time in the past, whether the Middle Ages or the Roman or Greek worlds.

I have liked the idea of this band's music. It's definitely interesting to hear their approach to making music. Their music by itself does the talking by showing how they feel about state of metal and rock music. How do they feel about it?! Listen to this album and it will all be clear. Very clear.

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