Today, Darkness Shall Rise Productions announces June 6th as the international release date for the highly anticipated second album of Germany's Cromlech, Of Owls and Eels, on CD, vinyl LP, and cassette tape formats.
Cromlech was already launched by Impurus, the band's sole member, in 1994. Much of what would become the first album was written back then under the title Cold and Stiff, originally meant as a demo. But for various reasons, it wasn’t properly recorded and released until 2023 – nearly 30 years later. During the timespan when Cromlech lay dormant, Impurus wasn't inactive at all, though, but made a name for himself being the drummer of and as such recording numerous albums with Dies Ater, Cryogenic, and Albez Duz.
Listening to Cromlech's second album, Of Owls and Eels, it's strikingly obvious that such music couldn't have been created by newcomers. Of Owls and Eels, while musically and atmospherically definitely being a black metal album, is also a daring effort of a seasoned musician expressing himself in an authentic way without paying attention to genre conventions. Thus, we are presented with a diverse and highly enjoyable album, where cold black metal riffs and high-level drumming merge seamlessly with eerie keyboards and surreal, almost hallucinatory soundscapes: a journey through shadow, memory and dream.
Of Owls and Eels is dynamic, unpredictable, and unmistakably quirky – brutal in places, but also melancholic and touched by a sense of quiet reverie. Due to Impurus' outstanding skills as both a songwriter and a musician, he managed to weave various elements together in a splendid way. The result is an album of intense atmospheric weight – seven songs that completely transcend the limitations often associated with solo black metal projects. It's almost unfathomable that such depth and scope could emerge from the vision and hands of just one man.
Anyone familiar with Dies Ater and Cryogenic is likely to find similarities to said bands in Cromlech's second album, too. Some of the doom of Albez Duz has crept into Cromlech, as well; especially “The Quiet Witness” would also fit on an Albez Duz album. Of Owls and Eels is certainly much more than the sum of its parts, though.
This album proves that Germany is still fertile soil for black metal excellence, as Cromlech continue in the tradition of masterpieces released by Nagelfar or The Ruins of Beverast. Just listen for yourself!
The first Cromlech live shows for 2025 are planned, as well – for example, also at the A Night of the Ancient Spells Darkness Shall Rise concert in November together with Gehenna and Penthos.
First track and preorder info to be announced shortly. Cover and tracklisting are as follows:
Tracklisting for Cromlech (Germany)'s Of Owls and Eels
1. Old Incineration Hymn
2. Past Forever
3. Owls In The Fog
4. Ice Curse
5. Eels (Part I)
6. The Quiet Witness
7. Mordlust
