Band:	Trist
Album:	Willenskraft
Style:	Ambient black metal
Release date:	2009
A review by:	Jeff

01. Bewusstsein
02. Wagemut
03. Zweifel
04. Herzenswunsch
05. Verhinderer
06. Wandlung

First song, twelve minutes of ambient music, with only wind, noises, water and stuff like that. Wow, that's an intro which clearly tells us how will be the whole release. And that's right the new Trist, a combo from Germany, shouldn't be disappointing if you're familiar with their previous work and like dark ambient music and minimalist Black Metal. Something to check obviously, especially for the fans of frozen dark ambiances?

"Willenskraft" is a really special release which is definitely not easy of access. Half of the songs are just composed of sounds (winds, waves, machines, wolves, guns?) and the other tracks like "Wagemut" tend to flirt with Black Metal but always, with preeminent dark ambiances and always with this really dark and cool atmosphere. This CD actually, is perfect to be listened to on your bed or sofa in a black room or something like that. I cannot say that it's extremely catchy because something (real melodies?) is missing but I don't know why and how but it works. The CD is something that you'll have to listen to from the beginning to the end to enter in the whole concept which is on a side really elitist but interesting too because it clearly gives something different than a basic album. If you don't like ambient music, you'll probably not understand it (and on a side don't be ashamed of it really?) but if you like movie sound-track don't hesitate anymore time to listen to this album.

The music is really minimalist and even the few real songs are a bit repetitive but as you know now, this is more a matter of ambiance than anything else. The recording being really good, I can imagine that you'll not miss anything when you'll listen to it on your last great stereo player. I cannot talk about a real performance of the musician though, but what is done here is well done, in the genre at least?

"Willenskraft" is a really specific album of a really specific music for some really specific fans. But I'm quite sure that the ones who like ambient, Black Metal and even Doom will find an interest in the album. This is maybe not really innovative (Trist is not the first and only band which plays such music?) but this is solid in the genre and finally relaxing to listen to this album. If you're looking for desperate and cold music, I think that you should have a look at "Willenskraft".