Keyboards  and atmospheric synths introduce us to the beginning of „Rüstwelt“ – the debut full-length album of the American independent black metal project Xenomorph.
The title  intro song presents a quote that immediately makes an impression: „I just accepted my role here. I found a book once. It said: „The master doesn’t try to be powerful, he is powerful. And ordinary man keeps reaching for power and thus never has enough”.
This element, in fact, although shared in the form of a movie quote, is part of the doctrine of the ancient Chinese philosopher Lao Tzu – it is worth digging into his thoughts and having some insight into his teachings on Taoism.

With such a deep beginning, I couldn’t have expected less from the album… and everything is justified until the last chord of the multi-instrumentalist.
This is my first introduction to his work, and I listened to the record quite unbiased several times with great curiosity, noting  right away that almost every track contained an excerpt from a particular classic movie  title.
One of the big surprises was  „Gummo“ from 1997 and the quote  „Life is beautiful. Really, it is. Full of beauty and illusions. Life is great. Without it, you’d be dead.” , which we can hear at the intro of the third track in the album, „Amphetamous Fornications“.
You will certainly be interested in recognizing the rest of the titles yourself.

Apart from its obvious intelligent approach and design, the album is a whirlwind of emotions.
The artist himself confirmed that the creation of the album served as an outlet during a busy and difficult period for him. In other words, „Rüstwelt“ is a sincere and perhaps painful title born from the purity of one man and his struggle with the not so good part of  humanity and life itself.

The album contains eight tracks of furious and primal black metal, one of which is an instrumental song, and the final track is a cover of „Svart industrielle oylcka“ originally by  Shining, brilliantly executed with English lyrics and a slightly altered arrangement that fits perfectly with the whole musical concept.
The vocals on every single one of the songs are inhumanly high-pitched, furious  and raw… an extreme rarity these days. Vocals that grab you by the throat the second they’re heard.
Such vocal quality immediately reminds me of my favorites Xasthur, Severoth and Windswept, literally forcing me to rewind the songs multiple times.

Apart from the vocals, which can give you chills, the instrumental – the rhythmic fast-paced guitars, the carchy and at times pulsating drums, are no less impressive. All the instruments here are again performed by Xenomorph, with some ambient parts such as a bell ringing, a crow’s cry and many more also included.

In any case, “Rüstwelt” is an album that must be experienced.
The musician literally erupts in each of the tracks, destroying everything in his path – there are many atmospheric passages, raw sections, and the result is a unique symbiosis between living, pulsating rage, despair, nihilism and raw black metal with a heated atmosphere and beautiful dynamics. You are listening to not just well-made music, but a piece of true art, born from the mind and heart of an ordinary person with extraordinary imagination and power.

Score: 9/10 ????????????????????????????????????
Favorite song: “Die Adler Von Eden”

Meet the artist, listen to his album, feel for yourself all the magic of the music he created.