Founded in 2013 in Linz, Austria by former members of prominent local bands, Anderwelt made their debut in 2015 with the album Schattenlichter. This release showcased the band’s exploration for new and uncharted sounds—a challenging endeavor given the vastness of heavy metal music today. However, with their more recent works, including Trinity of Decay, an award-winning music short film, and the stunning follow-up album 2084 (Electric Fire Records), it became evident that their search was successful. 2084 garnered widespread acclaim, with critics praising the band’s masterful balance of “dystopic and extreme contradictions,” blending fast and atmospheric riffs, clean and distorted cello sounds, and a dynamic range of clean and screaming vocals to create a majestic musical experience.
After two intense years of live performances featuring a new light show perfectly synchronized with their auditory program, Anderwelt returns with their latest single, “TransAnimalism”. Building on the themes explored in 2084, the single once again delves into dystopian, futuristic, and societal questions—this time imagining what might happen if superintelligent machines were to fall into the hands of endangered animals. The release is accompanied by another cinematic video, which you can watch on Youtube on 9th november.
Transhumanism is a posthuman movement that seeks to use technology to extend human life, separate the mind from the body, and enhance both physical and intellectual capabilities. Although the realization of these ideas remains uncertain, transhumanism raises significant ethical concerns. It could exacerbate inequalities, foster alienation, and challenge the very essence of what it means to be human. At its core, transhumanism can be seen as an assertion of placing oneself above nature and any divine forces, real or imagined.
In the classic tradition of Anderwelt, blending serious reflection with satire on futuristic societal issues, their new single “TransAnimalism” explores what might happen if transhumanist technology were accidentally discovered and used by animals in a post-apocalyptic world. Would they, like humans, ultimately pursue power and immortality, accepting the collateral damage that comes with it? Or would they find another path—one that embraces their biological and mortal nature instead of rejecting it?
