Asarhaddon - Witherloup

Labels: Self-Released/Vendetta Records

Formats: Digital/Vinyl

Release Date: 21 Dec 2025

Tracklist:

1. Witherloup

I don't normally review single songs anymore, purely because I don't feel it's a good use of time (unless I'm premiering them as well); however, when a band and label put this much effort into one, it's hard to ignore. The band I'm talking about is German black metal duo Asarhaddon and the label is Vendetta Records. Together, they released the single Witherloup as a glorious single-sided/screen-printed 10" record. 

Asarhaddon formed in 2014 and to date they have released four EPs, two full-lengths and four singles. Aside from profiles on bandcamp, Ampwall and YouTube, I can't provide much more information about them unfortunately. 

I get the impression that this is much more than just a black metal song. Asarhaddon’s two protagonists Christian Kircher (drums) and Christian Koss (guitar/bass/lyrics) are joined by a trio of guests here including Nova, and Floor Vandenbrande (both providing vocals), Frederic Ruckert (hurdy gurdy/piano) and Florian Ehrenberg (second guitar solo). After a gentle atmospheric intro, Asarhaddon burst into black metal of the cinematic/melodic variety. The German vocals are right at home alongside the extreme percussion/guitar work, while the melody from the hurdy gurdy begins to usher you away from said extremity, into the arms of siren-like clean female vocals. 

The one constant throughout this expansive song is the driving percussion, which keeps the momentum high. The latter-half follows the same formula as first-half, which is definitely no bad thing. The additional hurdy gurdy, guitar solo and those enchanting clean vocals are layered in such a way that they are very much at one with everything else here. Witherloup is masterful. Whatever you think black metal is (or should be), is irrelevant. Asarhaddon deliver their own take on the sub-genre with such grace and musical poise, that you forget that boundaries exist.

The detail and thought that both Asarhaddon, and Vendetta Records have put into this release is phenomenal. I think releasing singles on physical formats should be normalised. That’s just my opinion though, as I know it would be a costly venture for any band/label.

You can stream and purchase Witherloup digitally via bandcamp below:-

Unfortunately, it's not available on Ampwall currently but a lot of their previous discography is, so head there if you want to purchase their music without being subjected to bandcamp's fees. They've made some of their singles free on Ampwall as well - https://ampwall.com/Asarhaddon.

Vendetta Records Instagram - @vendettarecs