When a label like Drakkar, which has been instrumental in the success of acts such as Nightwish, Lordi and Ensiferum, discovers a newcomer act in the Bavarian provinces near Bayreuth, this band really has to be special. And indeed: Akrea are young, motivated and musically above reproach, as their label debut “Lebenslinie” (Lifeline) proves impressively. Even more impressive, however, is their courage to stick to German lyrics, which the quintet combine intelligently with their melodic death metal. So known quantities such as Eisregen and Equilibrium had better prepare themselves for some serious competition...

Founded in 2005 by Jonas Nelhiebel (drums), Fabian Panzer (guitar) and Christian Simmerl (bass) under the moniker of Inner Aggression, the band was complemented that same year by vocalist Sebastian
Panzer and completed by second guitarist Stephan Schafferhans in 2006. One year later, their selfreleased debut CD “Beginning Of An Inner War” arrived at the stores. Having promoted the album with countless gigs on the national underground scene, the recording of their second album, “Lebenslinie”, and a contract with Drakkar followed in late 2008.

Influenced by Amon Amarth, Arch Enemy, In Flames and Dark Tranquillilty, Akrea have created their own individual sound, which is marked just as much by demonic screeching as by the edgy sound of their German lyrics, brutal riffs, melodic lead guitars and quick-as-lightning double bass thunderstorms. As a counterpart to Akrea’s heavy, powerful guitar barrages, sinister melodies keep filtering through, ensuring a highly dynamic element. “Lifeline” owes its phat and at the same time transparent sound to Victor Bullok a.k.a. V. Santura (ex-Celtic Frost, Dark Fortress) and his studio in Landshut. In line with these ingredients, guitarist and songwriter Fabian promises his audience “a journey which takes you to the abyss of hell and beyond to a joyful, colourful fairytale landscape”. The required visual inspiration for this imaginary journey is provided courtesy of vocalist Sebastian’s highly metaphorical lyrics about the ugly as well as the beautiful aspects of our existence, translating the ups and downs of every-day life into a dark fantasy world. The title, “Lebenslinie”, a symbol for the continual unfolding of life, suits this concept to a tee.

The media tended to place Akrea in the pagan and Viking metal pigeonhole, reducing them to a genre which doesn’t do the band justice; after all, Akrea feel much more at home in the melodic death metal camp, with a refreshing down-to-earth attitude in their music which, despite a few black metal elements and lyrics in their native tongue, does not refer to ancient gods or myths. In line with this, the band name doesn’t allude to mythological or other references, and this vagueness alone is enough to fill the listener’s imagination. Be it the unmercifully driving opener “Imperium“, which puts its finger on the various aspects of the Akrea sound from the start, “Dieser Klang” with its antiphonal vocals consisting of carping, growls
and a haunting chorus, the mythical “Sigmea” with its enchanting whispered vocals, or the majestic instrumental finale, “Verlust” – every track on this album makes clear that these young musicians have the potential to become a force to be reckoned with in the world of extreme metal. All fans of Germanlanguage death and black metal had better prepare themselves, because this band is remarkably young, extraordinary and courageous, and set to take the world by storm with its breathtaking riffs!