It must have been ten years ago that I witnessed Der Weg Einer Freiheit live at Eindhoven Metal Meeting. They made a very good impression but somehow they must have been swept under my radar. Until I bought “Noktvrn” (2021) which made such an impression that I was eager to hear their next album. Four years later it is time for “Innern” to see the light of day. And blimey, I think this album even surpasses the quality of its predecessor at times.
“Noktvrn” consists of six tracks and has a duration over fourty minutes. It is a little on the short side but this is only a small remark. Every song has an own face yet really fits within the album. As the title mentions its an introspective album. The promo sheet, delivered with the download, mentions: “A meditation on suffering, transformation, and the fragile thresholds of the human psyche, “Innern” refines the band’s signature blend of black metal intensity and post-metal atmosphere. The title, German for “inward”, anchors the album’s conceptual weight: a turning away from the external, into a realm of personal reckoning, silence, and renewal. ”
And frankly, I totally agree with the statement above.”Innern” unmistakably is an Der Weg Einer Freiheit album but is full of contradictions. An album containing beauty, of melancholy, darkness and of harsh and grim explosions of anger handling the above mentioned topics. Now, let’s discuss the album itself.
The album starts with “Marter”: an intense and emotional song with great guitar parts and intense vocals. It paves the way for “Xibalba” which has a sense of urgency in it and portrays a fearful perspective. It’s duration of above ten minutes does not make the intensity of this song sway. Yet, it also has a charm of vulnerability in it which makes this song almost brittle (just listen to the subtle yet beautiful keyboards).
“Eos” manages to build up momentum, a song were atmosphere, emotions and ferocity go hand in hand. The guitars in combination of the clean vocals in the end are very impressive.
“Fragment” strikes with clean vocals and gradually builds up tension with superb riffs, rhythm section and aggressive outburst, both vocals as the composition itself. “Finisterre III” provides a small distraction with its piano piece before “Forlorn” gradually and subtly manages to woe you with its beautiful darkness and poppy beginning. Yet it has a surprise up its sleeve because it gradually transforms into an emotional rollercoaster where black scream and clean vocals shine. Not to mention the general atmosphere of this song. It blows me away with its emotional depth and layers and makes a memorable end of this great album.
When the journey of this album is over I can only conclude that Der Weg Einer Freiheit has delivered one hell of an album, albeit a bit on the short side. At times it’s raw but in general it is a very emotional and well thought and worked out (post)Black Metal album. There is so much depth in this album that it will take countless spins to fully grasp what is provided on this album. And the compositions are top notch. This album wil grow on you, just like a good album should. It makes you meander in your own conciseness and let you drift away from daily reality, just for a while
I am really looking forward how these guy will pull this off on stage….but in the meanwhile I will enjoy this album for many, many times again.
Are you a fan of the genre? Check this one out! If not: give it a try anyway. You certainly won’t be disappointed. Good stuff!
Score: 8.6 / 10
Release date: 12 September 2025
Label: Season of Mist
Reviewer: Erik
Tracklist:
- Marter (9:24)
- Xibalba (10:07)
- Eos (7:30)
- Fragment (6:24)
- Finisterre III (2:00)
- Forlorn (7:44)
