Band:	Grendel's Sÿster
Album:	Katabasis Into The Abaton / Abstieg In Die Traumkammer
Style:	Folk metal, Epic heavy metal
Release date:	August 30, 2024
A review by:	nikarg

English Version
01. Boar's Tusk Helmet
02. The Plight Of A Sorcerer
03. Rose Arbor
04. Night Owl's Beak
05. Golden Key (Won't Fit)
06. The Fire That Lights Itself
07. Hymn To Marsyas [digital bonus]
08. In Praise Of Mugwort
09. Cosmogony

German Version
10. Eberzahnhelm
11. Die Bürde Des Schwarzkünstlers
12. Rosenhag
13. Nachteulenschnabel
14. Güldenes Schlüsselein (Klemmt)
15. Unentfacht Flammend
16. Hymne An Marsyas [digital bonus]
17. Beifußweise
18. Kosmogonie

The magnificent Sarah from Smoulder described Katabasis Into The Abaton / Abstieg In Die Traumkammer as “unusual, strange, adventurous, primordial hymns for forest dwellers and magick seekers”. It’s going to be hard for me to match this excellent description.

Grendel's Sÿster had one single and two EPs under their belt before Cruz Del Sur picked them up; a label who knows what good traditional metal sounds like. The music of the band draws inspiration from the likes of Iron Griffin, The Lord Weird Slough Feg, and Warlord/Lordian Guard, with generous doses of English, Irish, German, and Scandinavian folk. Cirith Ungol is also a major influence that is found both in the music and in the fantasy world created by the lyrics, and if you have any doubts about where Grendel's Sÿster’s loyalties lie, just compare the logo of the Germans with the logo of the epic heavy/doom legends, and the cover art of Katabasis… with the one of Frost And Fire.

Musically speaking, the variety of the record can be heard if one samples the uplifting “Rose Arbor” next to the doomy “The Fire That Lights Itself”, before bowing to the epic closer, “Cosmogony”. But what is very original and surprising here is that the overarching folk element is not being conveyed through typical instruments of the genre. I mean, there is mellotron in the ballad-like “Golden Key (Won't Fit)”, but that’s about it. Instead, the aforementioned folkiness is omnipresent in the songwriting through the captivating guitar melodies, the ethereal and mystical atmosphere, and the unique singing style with the accompanying charismatic vocal harmonies.

Caro’s tenor vocal delivery, and her dark and dramatic style both accentuate the storytelling character of the album, and it all generally unfolds as a fantasy, bardic tale. Unlike most bands going down the epic and the heroic tropes, the lyrics tell “stories of transformation from myths, fairytales and legends, viewed through the lens of Jungian psychology” (according to guitarist, Tobi). ‘Katabasis into the Abaton’ (from the Greek words ‘Κατάβασις’ and ‘Άβατον’) roughly translates to ‘descent (Katabasis) into an inaccessible sanctuary (Abaton)’, and the songs come in both English and German versions (hence the double title). Now, although I appreciate the English ones because I can understand what is being said, I find that the German takes fit the music better because they seem to enhance the medieval/mythological/philosophical feel of the album. Whichever you prefer, the fact that Grendel's Sÿster are able to have two language versions for the same album is fairly impressive, and they did the same with their previous two EPs.

As hinted in the introduction, this is the part of the review where I try to match Sarah’s description, so here it goes: Katabasis Into The Abaton / Abstieg In Die Traumkammer is a poetic and enchanting revelation of myths and archetypes, a magical subconscious world where Elric has become Cÿril the Squirrel.

“Kingdoms rise and crumble, through death, destruction and doom
Outside the ancient temple, a rose bush still stands in full bloom.”