Bethlehem - Stönkfitzchen EP (2010)

Last year's remastered re-release of S.U.i.Z.i.D, with Kvarforth's vocals, was absolutely unwelcome at my table, since the original is a classic in need of no reconstruction whatsoever, and its new visage did nothing but pale alongside the original. However, let this not be a reflection on either Kvarforth's abilities or the general quality of Bethlehem's body of work, because neither are really in question. With the Stönkfitzchen EP, the two forces continue their relationship in a more welcome fashion: with new material that returns to the S.U.i.Z.i.D era, without completely abandoning the more progressive Gothic rock transformation the band underwent on their 21st century fare like Mein Weg.

There IS one rehashed track here from S.U.i.Z.i.D., which is of course the incredible "Yesterday I Already Died Today", once again rendered with Kvarforth's vocals. And once again, it's not quite as good as the original, despite the added melodies, but the basics motifs are still present. As for the new fare, "Kalt regelt ab die Krankgeburt" is a beautiful number cast in the same mould as that band's 1997-98 era, with a tranquil acoustic intro, beautiful, central depressive melody, surges of aggression, and Kvarforth erupting into various shitfits that truly work within the concept of the band. "Pillerthrillaren" and "Kandierte Verlosung zu Ross" are likewise superb, atmospheric atrocities which cautiously balance the band's razor guitars with delicate Gothic atmospheres and lush inhibitions. "The 11th Hour" opens as delicious, voracious, driving evil black metal in the vein of their early years, but then peters out into crushing doom.

About the only new song I didn't bust a nut over was the opener, "Was irh seid, das waren wir - Was wir sind, das werdet ihr", which opens with gloomy piano and dire blues but picks up into some Hellhammer-like rhythms that did nothing for me, however even here the vocals are pretty good and they eventually break out a captivating, somber melody. But all in all, this is a far more tasteful direction for the band. I've long felt the S.U.i.Z.i.D era marked the band at their peak, so it's reaffirming to hear the band expand upon this material towards the future. I don't feel like we needed another inclusion of "Yesterday I Already Died Today", but otherwise this is well worth the money to any Bethlehem fan wishing to kick the band a few bucks and see them continue as one of Germany's most intriguing dynasties. Once those guitars ring out in "Kalt regelt ab die Krankgebut", you will once more be transported into their wrist-cutting Elysium.

Verdict: Win [7.25/10]

http://www.myspace.com/bethlehemasylum

Bethlehem - A Sacrificial Offering to the Kingdom of Heaven in a Cracked Dog's Ear (2009)

The original S.U.I.Z.I.D. was a classic black metal album with an excellent sense for haunting melodies and razor-to-the-veins suicidal hostility. Honestly, it was one of the better black metal albums of the 20th century...I should probably have reviewed that instead of wasting my time listening to this.

Now, I can see how such a work would warrant some form of re-visitation, but I would have settled for a re-issue with bonus tracks, remastered perhaps. Instead, the band have chosen to re-record the album, with suicidal black metal icon (and clown) Niklas Kvarforth of Shining on the vocals. Okay, that was a lot of re's, and I apologize. Kvarforth doesn't have a bad voice for this style; after all, the depressive sub-genre spawned from albums like the original S.U.I.Z.I.D. But there is nothing here that surpasses that work or Marco Kehren's vocals.

In short, this might have been fun for Kvarforth, and some sort of attention grab for Bethlehem to return to their bloody roots from the gothic metal they've been doing recently (and doing well, I might add). But the original album is fantastic, obscure and does not deserve any further obfuscation this 'update' may create. If you don't own it already, save your cash to pick up that version, or one of Bethlehem's other albums. Or any Shining album. Remakes of albums are as worthless as remakes of films. This is simply unnecessary, and I cannot assign value where there is none. But if you're a revisionist or poseur who will probably pay to see the new Karate Kid film with Will Smith's son, then by all means, have at it...

Verdict: Epic Fail [1/10]

http://www.myspace.com/bethlehemasylum

Bethlehem - Profane Fetmilch Lenzt Elf Krank EP (1999)

Ever a fascination of mine, the German band Bethlehem have evolved from one of the most sinister blackened doom metal sounds in existence to a unique goth/black metal hybrid. These days, they tend more towards the former, but in 1999 they were still straddling the two styles together, and Profane Fetmilch Lenzt Elf Krank is an excellent example of where they truly shined.

The EP consists of only two tracks. "Gar Albern Es Uns Totgeban" begins with their patented, deep gothic leads over tortured vocal madness. But this breaks away into creepy pianos and spoken word, and then carnival music...before returning to the powerful riffing of the intro. "Von Buttersüssem Suizid" starts off simply with drums and a grooving gothic bass, then a sort of driving, gothic anthem with some metal wailing guitars. Both of the tunes are catchy, like most of Bethlehem's material.

This EP was originally pressed as a 7" in 1999 but an mCD version became available the following year. Most of the band's material is of good quality, and this is no exception. Well worth tracking down especially if you are fond of good gothic metal or this particular band's mid-period like the Reflektionen auf's Sterben EP and S.U.I.Z.I.D. album.

Verdict: Win [7/10]

http://www.myspace.com/bethlehemasylum