Heaven Shall Burn – Heimat
Century Media Records
9,0/10,0
Brief:
“Heimat” = German for “home / homeland / native land” – a term that merely refers to a relationship between people and spaces but has nevertheless always been highly emotionally charged. Often misused, it sometimes causes discomfort, lively discussions and battles over interpretation. Maik Weichert (guitar) comments: “’Heimat’ is not meant as the narrow-minded end point in the sense it has been used by agitators and populists, but the starting point for observations and perspectives. The album is about a much wider sense of the term ‘Heimat’: the homelands for many different people and also about the spiritual home, something that shapes and determines our thoughts and actions.”
HEAVEN SHALL BURN took their time with the follow-up to “Of Truth And Sacrifice”, which reached number 1 in the Official German Album Charts in 2020. “Heimat” was produced at the band’s own studio, The Dude Ranch, which is run by guitarist Alexander Dietz. Like in the past, Danish producer Tue Madsen took care of the mixing and mastering.
The Thuringians enlisted the renowned artist Eliran Kantor for the artwork, who previously crafted the artwork for “Of Truth And Sacrifice”. The centrepiece of the impressive triptych is a rearing stag – in its roaring variant a classic motif of wildlife painting, the epitome of kitsch and trivial art from the 19th and 20th centuries and interpreted by some as a symbol of patriarchy and capitalist competition, but here placed as a vital allegory of resistance amid an apocalyptic scene. He is flanked by a hunting lynx and a watchful owl, which complete the highly symbolic artwork concept as further elements of the triptych. As with “Of Truth And Sacrifice”, HEAVEN SHALL BURN worked together with composer, producer and director Sven Helbig and conductor Wilhelm Keitel, this time supported by the Mondëna Quartet and the Ukrainian Sophia Chamber Choir.
[Edited Press Release]
Tracklist:
- Ad Arma
- War Is the Father of All
- My Revocation of Compliance
- Confounder
- Empowerment
- A Whisper from Above
- Imminence
- Those Left Behind
- Ten Days in May
- Numbered Days (feat. Jesse Leach of Killswitch Engage)
- Dora
- A Silent Guard
- Inter Arma
Main Focus Tracks:
- My Revocation of Compliance
- Confounder
- A Whisper from Above
Other Recommended Tracks:
- Empowerment
- Ten Days in May
- Numbered Days (feat. Jesse Leach of Killswitch Engage)
- Dora
Line-Up:
Eric Bischoff – Bass
Maik Weichert – Guitars
Marcus Bischoff – Vocals
Alexander Dietz – Guitars
Christian Bass – Drums
Comments:
Heimat is a masterpiece combining metalcore and melodic death metal. It is intense, timeless, and incredibly rich. One of the best productions in the Germanic music scene!
Contacts:
Video:
Selected Discography:
Asunder – 2000
Whatever It May Take – 2002
Antigone – 2004
Deaf to Our Prayers – 2006
Iconoclast – 2008
Invictus (Iconoclast III) – 2010
Veto – 2013
Wanderer – 2016
Of Truth and Sacrifice – 2020
Heimat – 2025
Photo Credit: CANDYWELZ