Urfaust (band)


Urfaust was a Dutch atmospheric black metal band, active from 2003 to 2023.
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History

Urfaust initially began as an ambient project by musician IX. He recorded the demo Urvaterlicher Sagen. Later, VRDRBR, who had already worked as a guest musician for The Devil's Blood, joined the band, and in 2004, their debut album Geist ist Teufel was released on the GoatowaRex label. Verräterischer, nichtswürdiger Geist followed in 2005. More albums, EPs and splits were released in the following years. The band was last signed to Ván Records, owned by former Nagelfar member Sven Dinninghoff. In August 2023, Urfaust announced the end of the project.

Musical style

IX used a kind of operatic singing that varies from clean vocals to screams reminiscent of Burzum. The guitar is extremely distorted and often features strong effects. This contrasts with the dry, clear drums. Some songs are played only with classical instruments such as the violin, double bass, timpani, and trumpets. The reviews were mostly positive. The music was described as "difficult to digest", "intoxicating and oppressive". Drei Rituale jenseits des Kosmos contains strong influences from drone doom. The music on this EP has been compared to the black metal/death/industrial band Abruptum. The EP Einsiedler is somewhat more melodic, but at a similarly slow tempo, and features influences from post-rock as well as a keyboard solo lasting several minutes.
The band's influences lie in black metal, but also in medieval music, ancient hymns, and Shōmyō chanting. Lyrical inspirations include Goethe's Faust and Nietzsche's Thus Spoke Zarathustra. The names of the songs are in sophisticated but often flawed German: Auszug Aller Tödlich Seinen Krafte, Der Halbtoten Dichters Schein-Existenz. The band's lyrics are neither understandable nor well known, and the question is often raised as to whether they even exist.
– Dirk Bengt: Review of Einsiedler in the online magazine Burn Your Ears.
However, a statement by the band suggests that although the voice is used as an instrument, there are also lyrics. The booklet accompanying the album Der freiwillige Bettler contains lyrics written in Dutch.

Members

;Last known
  • IX – guitars, vocals, keyboards
  • VRDRBR – drums
;Former
  • Dolen – orchestra

Discography

Demos
  • 2004: Urvaterlicher Sagen
Studio albums
  • 2004: Geist ist Teufel
  • 2005: Verräterischer, nichtswürdiger Geist
  • 2010: Der freiwillige Bettler
  • 2016: Empty Space Meditation
  • 2018: The Constellatory Practice
  • 2020: Teufelsgeist
  • 2023: Untergang
Live albums
  • 2008: Oslo 24-03-07
  • 2013: Trúbadóirí Ólta an Diabhail
  • 2017: Acherontic Rite
  • 2018: Live ''at Acherontic Arts 3
EPs
  • 2008: Drei Rituale jenseits des Kosmos
  • 2009: Einsiedler, MC release via Terratur Possessions
  • 2015: Apparitions
  • 2016: Voodoo Dust
Split albums
  • 2006: Auerauege Raa Verduistering with Circle of Ouroborus
  • 2007: Vom Geist der Schwere / The Moselle Enigma with The Ruins of Beverast
  • 2009: The Adorn Japetus / Unter Töchtern der Wüste with Joyless
  • 2011: Mitt Rike / Der König in Thule with Celestial Bloodshed
  • 2013: Spiritus Nihilus / Pagan Eyes Over German Skies with King Dude
  • 2015: Het aalschuim der natie with Lugubrum
  • 2015: Ghoulfaust with Ghoul-Cult
  • 2017: Heengegaan / Zelfbestraffingsten Denz En Occulte Raabsels with Wederganger
  • 2018: Lo-Fi LowLive – Live in the Netherlands with Black Anvil
  • 2019: Bradobroeders with Lugubrum
Singles
  • 2013: Die erste Levitation
Compilations
  • 2012: Ritual Music for the True Clochard
  • 2021: Compilation of Intoxications''