| Today, atmospheric black metal elite Ellende stream the entirety of their highly anticipated third album, Lebensnehmer, below. Set for international release on March 29th via AOP Records, the album will be released on CD, vinyl LP, and boxset formats, with both the vinyl and boxset editions featuring an exclusive bonus track. Founded in 2011 by multi-instrumentalist L.G., Ellende has always strived for the melancholy, anger, and beauty that is buried in our mere existence and misanthropy. Deeply rooted in black metal, the project didn’t fear wisely selected instrumentation in order to achieve a unique atmosphere and songwriting style. This mainly includes strings, brass, and other classical instruments, as well as L.G. doing most of the studio work and all artwork and design himself. After the independent release of Rückzug in die Innerlichkeit by L.G. in 2012, Ellende became a live band with session musicians and three releases, and some successful European tours followed. The attention for Ellende peaked with their second album, Todbringer, in 2017, which was hailed as one of the most outstanding atmospheric/post-black metal albums of the year by many critics and audiences, hitting nearly a half-million views on YouTube in a few months and successively selling out its initial physical pressing. Patiently taking two years to perfect the songwriting, Ellende‘s third full-length (and fifth release overall), Lebensnehmer is now finished. Featuring live musician P.F. on drums like on previous records, Lebensnehmer vividly displays all the sturm und drang of the trademark Ellende sound, now more breathtaking than ever. Taking a more adventurous approach to dynamics as well as exhibiting a clarity of focus previously untouched, Lebensnehmer moves like a literal emotional rollercoaster – hitting the highest of highs, and especially the lowest of lows – spellbinding the listener at every skyscraping turn. As ever, the stirring melodicism of L.G. takes center stage, weaving emotive ecstasy even while a torrent of blastbeats from P.F. booms all around here. Elsewhere, suitably splendorous atmosphere is evoked through frequent stretched-out instrumental passages, allowing both drama and tension to wage war within the listener’s heart and head. And of course, only the most sterling production standards were sought by L.G, with recording & mixing at Audioriotrecordings Austria and mastering by Iguana Studios Germany. As the mainman enthuses, “I am truly grateful how this record turned out. As the title already implies, Lebensnehmer – or ‘life taker,’ in English – has a very strong connotation coming about two years after its sister album Todbringer, which is ‘death bringer’ in English. Going through rough times, it fills me with a sense of well-being when another selection of music has been made into a full-length result of anger, melancholy, and beauty. Being surrounded by very gifted musicians and sound engineers, you can expect another milestone from Ellende.” No truer words spoken. Ellende‘s atmospheric black metal dominance continues with Lebensnehmer! The album’s release will be promptly followed by a five-date tour featuring AOP Records labelmates Firtan, Spiral Skies, and Groza (dates after the jump). In the leadup to its international release this Friday, hear Lebensnehmer in its entirety here: |
| Cover art, by L.G., and tracklisting are as follows: |
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Tracklisting for Ellende’s
Lebensnehmer 1. Intro 2. Augenblick 3. Die Wege 4. Ein Stück Verzweiflung 5. Der Blick wird leer 6. Liebkosung des Eiswinds 7. Du wärst eine schöne Leiche 8. Atemzug 9. Die Welt brennt und ich lieg hier nur (bonus track on limited vinyl and boxset only) |
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Lebensnehmer
Tour with Firtan, Spiral Skies, and Groza 27.3.2019 Erfurt – From Hell [EVENT INFO] 28.3.2019 Nürnberg – Der Cult [EVENT INFO] 29.3.2019 Mörlenbach (near Mannheim) – Live Music Hall Weiher [EVENT INFO] 30.3.2019 Oberhausen – Helvete [EVENT INFO] 31.3.2019 Arnhem – Willemeen [EVENT INFO] |
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MORE INFO: www.facebook.com/ellende.official |