Sterbende Erde is the debut album of the band Thakandar. After releasing their first demo in 2009 and an EP in 2011, the five musicians have now taken their time to compose a complete album with selected songs and a dense atmosphere. In doing so, special attention was paid to the fact that the songs complement each other and create a well-rounded overall picture. Recorded, mixed and mastered in November 2016 at Klangschmiede Studio E under the direction of Black Metal mastermind Markus Stock (Empyrium, The Vision Bleak, Sun of the Sleepless), the album will now be released on 20.10.2017 under the label Einheit Produktionen. Besides the members of the band, several guest musicians were involved in the recordings. For example, the only English-language title Signal of Sorrow features a cello recorded in the band's own rehearsal room, played by Lestaya (Ferndal). In addition, Ricarda Krabbemeyer's voice can be heard in the above-mentioned piece as well as in the title Hinter dem Schatten, who also recorded the piano in the piece Todesmarsch II: Verbannung. Furthermore, in the titles Sterbende Erde, In der Asche der Alten and Todesmarsch II: Verbannung keyboard parts of Alboin (E?s, Ferndal) can be heard. A special concept was developed for the lyrics, which runs through all titles as red paths: In a post-apocalyptic world, the last scattered remnants of human civilization struggle for survival. The listener gradually realizes that the people themselves are responsible for their failure and that after each new beginning the new end is brought about by decadence, waste and greed. Thus the album Sterbende Erde is not least a complete work full of visually stunning metaphors and a good portion of social criticism. Packed in the robe of melodic Black Metal, which should not only please die-hard fans of the genre, but also newcomers.
