Der Weg einer Freiheit - Innern (2025)

Hailing from Germany, Der Weg einer Freiheit has slowly built up their crushing Atmospheric Black Metal sound gradually, perfecting every single aspect of their music, while also delivering some of the most crisp and clear-sounding releases in the genre. With “Innern”, the band reaches their (current) pinnacle, with a very well oiled release that sprawls in six tracks, each with its own unique awesomeness, but with all of them combining together to create a truly demoralizing and punishing listening experience.

Opening with “Marter”, one can immediately start feeling the hairs of the back of your neck rise as the atmosphere becomes very dense and powerful. Nikita Kamprad and company have been on a mission since their first Season of Mist release, “Stellar”, to create a very cohesive and crushing sound that does not depend on gimmicks, but rather fierce raw power and emotion. This is the foundation behind the masterful “Xibalba”, a track that is both cathartic and anxiety inducing as it progresses from raw and harsh sections to minimalist atmospheric parts, filled with melancholy and desolation.

After one of the most intense tracks ever created, “Eos” soothes the listener for a bit, with a more exploratory and atmospheric opening. However, the relaxation is short-lived as the track picks up steam with eerie throat singing elements and some fierce onslaughts, giving us The Ruins of Beverast vibes. Focusing more on hypnotic atmospherics, “Finnisterre” and “Fragment” prepare the transition to the dreamy closer “Forlon” and its chilling clean vocals. The band shows an interesting transition in this piece to more Blackgaze/Post-Black Metal territories, with a slight Alcest-like edge, but with their own signature riffing ferocity in the mix.

Overall, “Innern” is one of those releases that you just can’t stop listening to. We have dissected and thoroughly enjoyed this one with several multi-hour sessions as it is just an amazing and totally shape-shifting release. Der Weg einer Freiheit have come a long way over the years, refining, and tweaking their punishing sound to reach new heights with each release and with this one, they are at a completely new level. If you like melancholic and yet punishing Black Metal that is highly atmospheric and masterfully produced, look no further and get a copy of this release.

Label: Season of Mist

Release: Septmeber 12th, 2025

Genre: Atmospheric Black Metal

Country: Germany