Review: Convictive – Rastlos

Convictive’s “Rastlos” is a record that arrives with the weight of expectation, especially for those who’ve followed the German outfit’s trajectory from their earlier works. This full-length is a dense, atmospheric foray into female-fronted black metal, blending the raw ferocity of the genre with moments of haunting melancholy. It’s an album that demands attention, not just for its technical prowess but for its emotional depth, though it occasionally stumbles under the weight of its own ambition.

Musically, “Rastlos” is a study in contrasts. The band oscillates between blistering black metal fury and moments of melancholic introspection, often within the same track. “Rastlose Jagd” is the album’s undeniable centerpiece, a rhythmic, almost anthemic beast of a song that captures the relentless “daily hunt” of life. It’s here that Convictive’s strengths coalesce: the guitars slash and burn, the drums thunder with purpose, and the vocal performance is nothing short of electrifying. The song’s infectious energy makes it a standout, though it also highlights a minor issue with the rest of the album. While songs like “Epos” and “Gezeiten” are undeniably well-crafted, they occasionally lack the same explosive dynamism, feeling a touch too polished or restrained in comparison.

The production is pristine – and perhaps too pristine. There’s a sterility to the sound that, while ensuring every instrument is heard with crystal clarity, occasionally saps the music of the raw, organic edge that made Convictive’s earlier demo material so compelling. It’s a double-edged sword: the album’s professional sheen elevates its more atmospheric passages, but it also softens some of the genre’s inherent bite.

So, where does “Rastlos” leave Convictive? The album is, without a doubt, their most cohesive and accomplished work to date. It’s the sound of a band finally finding their voice, even if that voice occasionally wavers. That said, “Rastlos” isn’t without its flaws. The production’s polish, while impressive, occasionally muffles the album’s emotional rawness, and not every song hits with the same force as “Rastlose Jagd.” But these are minor quibbles in the face of what is, overall, a bold and ambitious release.