The thought of combining crust and post metal with black metal isn’t exactly brand new territory, with several successful iterations popping up throughout the years. Downfall of Gaia immediately comes to mind as one of the upper echelon acts of which heavily contain these influences, while Agrimonia and Immortal Bird have each crafted their own niche loosely within this line of thought. More artists are innovating in this ever advancing space, and we happened to uncover a band hailing from Hannover, Germany named Rană, of which are easily identifiable as a band on a mission with a distinctive approach to this melting pot of musical direction.
First surfacing in 2021 with an EP titled Armament, it was immediately obvious that this group purveys an advanced vision of where they wanted to go, with furious crust infused riffs and blackened shrieks built upon a foundation of complex song structures. Rană is now here with their first full-length Richtfeuer in tow, and they’ve expanded upon everything established two years ago with unbridled rage.
To say that Rană has brought fire and immeasurable passion can’t be understated. This trait being the most obvious element that smashes the listener upside the cranium, from the first minute of “Läutern” and all of its savagely artistic glory. Their keen attention to detail brings direct comparison with genre leaders Downfall of Gaia, and that’s certainly esteemed company. For more blunt levels of menace, “Flamura” provides a post metal riff extravaganza via the twin onslaught of guitarists J and B, complemented by the longing screams of vocalist A E B. The title track emits a soothing yet uneasy vibe from the start, with chilling clean vocalizations, clean guitar melodies, and thick bass to add weight. Urgency increases when the rhythm guitars crash through, methodically ramping up the intensity to thrilling crescendos, then temporarily back to serenity, before unleashing a blistering finish. Intricate songwriting and pure energy in droves.
The album’s fourth and final entry, “Our Smouldering Grief / Im Brand” definitively is the band’s masterwork at this point in their existence. A hearty nearly 18 minute track, containing well orchestrated twists and turns, elevated by a smoothness and technical proficiency that isn’t at all common. The guitar work is hypnotic, with slow crunchy pieces transitioning from blazing tremolos, to layered rhythms that pack an emotional punch that stirringly enshrouds.
Rană hasn’t yet received a whole lot of fanfare with the release of Richtfeuer, and that’s a damn shame. With this album, these Germans have proven to have all of the tools and songwriting chops to stand toe-to-toe with their contemporaries, while constructing immaculate sounds that are all their own. The hard hitting black metal foundation, the constantly in motion song structures, and the poignant crust rawness combine take one on a thumping journey that is gripping as it is perilous. One won’t tame the beast that is Richtfeuer, so best to simply embrace the acrimony.