Flood, war, earthquake, fire, a long winter – this is not yesterday’s news, but a legend from the medieval Völuspá: Ragnarök, the end of the world in Norse mythology. An oft-sung theme in various metal genres – and yet the German band SURTALOG, founded in 2016, manages to elicit some frighteningly topical aspects from the ancient legend on their debut “Ragnarök – Schicksal der Götter, Tod der Menschen und Ende der Welten“ (Ragnarök – Fate of Gods, Death of Men and End of Worlds), both musically and lyrically.
Music is based of melodic, storming black metal in the style of WINDIR or EMPEROR, the band builds complex song structures that are sometimes reminiscent of DREAM THEATER or OPETH in their progressiveness. Fragile passages carried by acoustic guitars or epic choral interludes have also found their place on “Ragnarök” and thus contribute to reflecting the multifaceted nature of the subject matter. This makes “Ragnarök” not only an entertaining and multi-layered metal album. But after 75 minutes of playing time, the last fragile acoustic sounds leave listeners pensive, doubtful… but cautiously optimistic.
It´s a concept album about the end of the world in Norse Mythology. Of its ten songs, the prologue and the five acts are black metal songs, incorporating progressive and other influences. The other four songs are non-metal with acoustic guitars, choirs, female and spoken vocals, loosening up the album.
Music for album was recorded, mixed and mastered from 2022 to 2023 at Nightside Audio (Troll, Eis, Minas Morgul) by Florian Dammasch. Band logo and album cover artwork was done by Timon Kokott (Pantokrator, Horn (DE), Illdisposed)
Debut album “Ragnarök – Schicksal der Götter, Tod der Menschen und Ende der Welten” (eng. “Ragnarök – Fate of Gods, Death of Men and End of Worlds”) will out August 28, 2024. Pre-order is available at Bandcamp.
Lyric video to the song “IV. Akt – Weltenbrand” at Symphonic Back Metal Promotion.
Tracklist:
01. Prolog – Weissagung (Prologue – Prophecy)
02. Praeludium ad Fortunam Deorum (Prelude to the Fate of Gods)
03. I. Akt – Hass und Missgunst (I. Act – Hate and Resentment)
04. II. Akt – Fimbulwinter (II. Act – Fimbulwinter)
05. Heimdalls Horn Ruft Uns Nun (Heimdall´s Horn Calls Us Now)
06. III. Akt – Die Letzte Schlacht (III. Act – The Last Battle)
07. IV. Akt – Weltenbrand (IV. Act – Burning of Worlds)
08. Die Leere der Welten (The Emptiness of Worlds)
09. V. Akt – Untergang (V. Act – Downfall)
10. Epilog – Neubeginn (Epilogue – New Beginning)
Line-up:
Lukas „Surtuz“ S. – rhythm & acoustic guitar, vocals, orchestrations, songwriting, lyrics
Alex W. – lead guitar
Kolja „Centrox“ B. – bass, backing vocals
Nils „Phobos“ S. – drums, backing vocals
Click image to watch the video
Metal Shock Finland (World Assault ) 