Although I ran into the name of the German Pagan Black Metal band Horn a few times before, I only really first heard the band with 2017’s ‘Turm Am Hang’ that was a joint release of both Northern Silence Productions (CD) and Iron Bonehead Productions (vinyl) – a first indication that we are dealing with quality here. That the band already had released no less than six full-length albums (and three demos) before, meant that I had some catching up to do. And with this latest offering, ‘Daudswiärk’ the band arrived at album number ten. Ten albums in twenty years, a good moment to do some retrospection.
In fact, the only just conclusion is to state that Horn has always been awfully consistent in its output. Not even so much because of the average of releasing a new album every two years, but it is all about the musical steadiness. The music has remained remarkably similar over the nearly two decades. That lack of innovative drive can of course be interpreted in a negative sense, but in Horn’s case it is something that certainly works in its favour. The formula has not “merely” remained the same; it has been further developed and refined to perfection.
What is to Horn’s advantage is that the music itself is already very diverse and dynamic. The basics of German Black Metal is playfully and sometimes even ingeniously interwoven with catchy Folk and Pagan melodies, also the song structure is skilfully adapted to provide further depth to the music. Last but not least, the clear and beautifully balanced production also makes for an extra intense experience. No raw production here, but a rock-hard Pagan Fist in your face.
While certainly not all of those ten albums are equally good, it is fair to say that Horn has gradually found its niche over the course of its full discography. In such a large back catalogue, it is only logical that there are also some lesser albums to be found, but looking at the red line through those albums, it is certainly the case that from ‘Feldpost’ (2015) onwards, a hefty upward trend can be observed. Horn’s sole band member, Nerrath, has become increasingly skilled at forging catchy melodies and building tension in the songs. The “hit density” of ‘Daudswiärk’ is almost greater than ever, with many of the songs emerging as true sing-alongs with grandly compelling epics.
Although everything sounds very accessible and familiar again on this latest album, the most striking thing is that a direct comparison with another band is not even that easy to make after all. Which basically means that, with all the familiar elements from the Pagan Black Metal scene, Horn has managed to carve out a fairly distinct and recognisable sound of its own. That is complimentary in itself, especially when it comes together in such an attractive way as on ‘Daudswiärk’, which can undoubtedly be counted among Horn’s best works.
