The Band
BESTIA (beast) is the sixth studio album of the German dark metal, NDH band, Erdling (Earthling). Dark metal refers to a mixture between gothic, black, and death, with melodic and industrial rhythms. And NDH (Neu Deutsche Härte), which applies to a crossover genre of metal, groove, industrial, and techno, the name was coined after Rammstein’s first studio album, Herzeleid.
BESTIA was released on April 28th, 2023 by the label Out of Line.
The album is short but powerful. The lyrics and the album were written and produced with the collaboration of Chris Harms (Lord of the Lost singer). The album cover features a werewolf (beast).
Line-up
- Neill Freiwald – singer
- Max Nash – guitar
- Valeria Ereth – guitar
- Rob Hahn – bass
- Chris Schäfer – drums
The Songs
1. BESTIA (beast), is a power song, with electronic beats, but heavy music throughout it all. A catchy song about someone that doesn’t want to be a man anymore, but a beast, because of the current state of the world.
2. DEUS (God), it starts pretty heavy. It claims that God is dead, and the world is dead. We’re alone, nobody leads us, and nobody is listening to us, although we’re always looking for that someone, that entity.
3. UND DIE ERDE SINGT (and the Earth sings), about the Earth. Great guitar solo. Nice keyboard at the beginning and throughout the song. The song gives an epic sensation of an environmental song, about nature.
4. FREIHEIT (Freedom). Very positive track. It encourages you to go and get what you want. You are free to search for your happiness.
5. KHAOS (Chaos), people want to be God, they want to dominate the rest, to be strong, make wars. Nobody wants to be weak. Industrial sound.
6. ÜBER BORD (Over Board). A ballad. A love song of staying together, until the end of the world, even if it’s means dying together too.
7. EIS UND FEUER (Ice and Fire). Heavy song. Keep going, through ice and fire. Don’t kneel before anyone, you can overcome any obstacle.
8. KATHARSIS (Catharsis). Heavy song. Describes someone who fights an epic battle.
9. UTGARD (Outyards). It is a Nordic mythology concept. It is the realm of giants like Thor and Loki. Your soul will burn there, there’s no escape, like a Hellish place. Very heavy, but epic song, at the same time.
10. DER ERSTE REGEN (The First Rain). In the end, after the hard challenges we face, everything is going to be ok. After the clouds come the light. The hope is within you. Hopeful and positive song. It has parts of an acoustic guitar, that provides the song a sweet and beautiful sound.
This album made me think about epic medieval battles, musicalized with heavy industrial music and catchy choruses. I don’t know if that was the band’s intention, but it provokes that sensation in me, and I loved it, like Lord of the Rings, Nordic Mythology, and Vikings. I’ve always been interested in those topics, so if you like that kind of stuff, like me, I recommend you this album and Erdling’s previous works too.
Tracklist :
- BESTIA
- DEUS
- UND DIE ERDE SINGT
- FREIHEIT
- KHAOS
- ÜBER BORD
- EIS UND FEUER
- KATHARSIS
- UTGARD
- DER ERSTE REGEN