If you want to go to Jena, you first have to pass through this intimidating, massive wall of eleven-storey prefabricated buildings in Jena-Lobeda. And SNOW TRAIL from the same city provide the perfect soundtrack for sleepwalking through these or other concrete deserts at night with "Abandoned Capsule". On their debut album for It's Eleven Records, the rhythm drives the shadows forward with stoic composure, while the echoing guitar and pulsating bass meander through the darkness in melodic arcs. The vocals convey a subliminal aggression that manifests itself in occasional outbursts, but a brittle, flowing grace retains the upper hand overall. The trio acts minimalistically and concentrates the songs on their essence. Carefully used synths (e.g. on "Fragments Repeated" or "Constructions") or surprising alto saxophone on "Murky Acrylic Windows" reinforce the dark undertow. The songs for "Abandoned Capsule" were largely written in the pandemic-ridden years of 2021/22, and the lack of prospects during this time still lingers in the lyrics. Nevertheless, SNOW TRAIL have now taken a new path with their album and a stronger integration of electronic sounds, which nevertheless does not deny their original sound.