Sterbender Traum by HAGAL

To celebrate the 20th anniversary of Sterbender Traum, HOUSE OF INKANTATION proudly re-releases HAGAL’s landmark second album, now available on all streaming platforms with a revitalized sound. Originally hailed for its raw yet sophisticated approach to Black Metal, Sterbender Traum transcends genre conventions with its intense, minimalist production, evocative melodies, and myth-inspired storytelling.

Unlike typical Black Metal, Sterbender Traum combines a hauntingly melodic core with powerful, understated instrumentation. Each track highlights HAGAL’s skillful mix of wide chord progressions and steady tempos. The guitar lines are linear and evocative, allowing the layered drums and bass to resonate fully, especially in mid-tempo sections. HAGAL’s vocals—alternating between sharp, high-pitched shrieks and solemn, clear chants—bring both Black Metal intensity and reflective Pagan Metal depth, with acoustic interludes enhancing the album’s atmospheric flow.

Musically, Sterbender Traum balances a heavy sound with restraint, avoiding flashy effects or overly ornate riffs. The subtle Norwegian Black Metal influences echo early HELHEIM, KAMPFAR, and ULVER’s Kveldssanger, while HAGAL’s distinct artistry places them firmly within the legacy of German Pagan Black Metal from the ’90s and early 2000s. Their lyrics, sung entirely in German, explore mythological themes with a timeless nod to Nordic tradition without falling into cliché.

With its authentic and meticulously crafted compositions, Sterbender Traum stands as a powerful contribution to the German Black Metal genre in the early 2000s.

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I.K. Productions
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2012-2014

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2006-2012

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