Imha Tarikat - Sternenberster

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After the 80’s, when Germany revealed to the world Thrash/Black Metal, Power Metal, and German Traditional Heavy Metal, the 90’s brought a great silence. These words mean that on the other genres, no great name arose from Germany (in commercial way, please), especially on Death Metal or Black Metal. Of course that names as MORGOTH, ATROCITY, and FLESHCRAWL on Death Metal, and MYSTIC CIRCLE, BETHLEHEM, AGATHODAIMON, NINNGHIZHIDDA and others on Black Metal kept things alive, but they were never praised as they deserved. But even in this way, there are some names hidden on German underground that are good. Names as IMHA TARIKAT, as can be heard on their second full length, “Sternenberster”.

Their musical work can be described as classic Black Metal, but for those who are into Metal in a deeper form, will hear the clear German Metal DNA on their music due some classic melodic touches that can be heard in some parts (as in the guitars on “Klimax Downpour”). And this blend creates a fine range of musical contrasts on their music, and besides some maturing must be done, they’re on the right path. One thing isn’t right for their musical work: the sound quality of “Sternenberster”. It’s not a loss, but such harsh and crude approach doesn’t fit for such rich musical work. A cleaner and defined sonority would be better (just a bit cleaner) to improve their melancholic melodies.

Mixing brutality with some German melodic sense, songs as “Ekstase ohne Ende” (rich in somber melodies on the guitars), the harsh and intoxicating dark embrace of “Kreuzpunkt der Schicksale” and “Kreuzpunkt der Schicksale” (both with fine snarling voices using a low natural tune), the mix between brutality and oppression shown on “Aufstieg”, and slow paced rhythm parts of “Sternenberster” can be said as their finest moments on the album.

In the end, all that’s left to say is that IMHA TARIKAT has potential to grow musically, and for now, “Sternenberster” is that kind of Black Metal albums that will make those fans from the genre have hours of pleasure as they hear it.

Songwriting: 9
Musicianship: 8
Memorability: 8
Production: 6