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neofolk

In Ruin * …Let Us Kiss And Part (online single 2005)

Last week I got an email from from this US band (with a German website) that they have an ‘online single’ on their site. I don’t know if I knew about the band, but I didn’t have anything of them. On the “music” section of the site, you have to look for the downloadable songs, but then you get to very large files (good audio). “In Ruin” makes simple and minimalistic neofolk which is alright, but not really my kind of music. Those who like bands such as those on Eislicht and of course everybody who is curious about this new band, should go to the In Ruin site and get the two free tracks. There is quite some material from the past of which some is still available. A full-length album is being worked at.

Harvest Rain * Evening And Devotion (7″ 2004 opn)

After a cd that I don’t know, Harvest Rain releases a 7″ with “no fucking neofolk”, but “samhain folk”. Four songs with ‘industrial’ neofolk, between Elhaz and DIJ, but more melancholic. A bit too monotous for my ears, but alright.The 7″ is limited to 300 copies.

Forseti * Jenzig (10″ 1999 eis & licht tonträger)

I got this one together with Dies Natalis (see review above). Limited to 550 copies and only a few left for sale from Eislicht.
Just as other Eislicht bands, Forseti appears on compilation cds, or to say, at least one, because there is a new version of the title track on Lichttauffe, which is also reviewed in these pages.
And again a very good release. The 10″ opens faster than we are used to of neo-folk bands. Other tracks are more at a ‘normal speed’, but also here the band has a sound of it’s own. Still there is the known acoustic guitar and drumming. Doesn’t this make you wonder how many tallented bands are out there, or would Eis & Licht have found them all by now?
I haven’t heard of full-length plans for this band. I do know that they perform live (if this is allowed), so I’m sure they have more songs than the 6 on this 10″.

Foresta Di Ferro * Bury Me Standing (cd 2003 hau ruck!)

A ‘stars-trio’ made an unexpected cd on Albin Julius’ label. The ‘iron forest’ make industrial, ambient and neofolk. The cd doesn’t open too well, but after the song “Oak Leaf” that sounds a lot like Strength Through Joy (Richard Leviathan does most of the vocals) things get better. Industrial tracks with lyrics of which one we can already find on the second Ostara cd. Not brilliant, but definately not bad. Fairly short though, 42 minutes. Oh, a very nice booklet by the way, however the covers suggests otherwise.

Fire + Ice * Birdking (cd 2000 tesco)

As you may know Fire + Ice is one of the older neo-folk bands. I never really listened to them, because I expected them to have a ‘World Serpent sound’. When I heard that on this new cd people like Michael Moynihan, Cashmore and Douglas P cooperated and I heard the wonderfull song on “The Pact… Of The Gods” I was glad that I could hear the album on tape.
But… F+I indeed do have the ‘World Serpent sound’ and in spite of the wide range of guest musicians, the music remains very basis and minimal neo-folk with mostly an acoustic guitar, Ian Reeds vocals and maybe one or two more instruments. And I can’t really say that I like it, actually just neo-folk in my ears.

Empyrium * Where At Night The Wood Grouse Plays (cd 1999 prophecy productions)

Well, I don’t hear anything of the promised “Wagnerian bombast” (another cd then maybe?) and I also don’t hear any similarities to the contributions to “On The Brink Of Infinity” and “Immortal Legends” (which is pretty bombastic), BUT, what I hear does caress my ears!
These (ex-)metalheads make some pretty descent folk music. It. s very minimal with mostly only one or two guitars, sometimes a flute and once in a while some singing. The music is very tranquil and has a very nice atmosphere that I like a lot. What more can I say? I love this. It’s a shame that this cd lasts for only half an hour!

Dwelling * Humana (cd 2003 equilibrium music)

Dwelling is a band from Portugal, the same country as the mail order and label Equilibrium Music. Dwelling makes tranquil and minimal folky music, reminding a bit of Algiz, but less gothic. The first fulllength lasts for only 38 minutes, but has nine songs which are quite nice. This one is for people who want to hear folky music, but not neofolk. <25/10/03><2>

Dies Natalis * Vom Gedanken Und Der Erinnerung (cd 2000)

It is always nice when a band releases a cd and immediately comes to present it in a club near you. Yesterday Dies Natalis gave a very nice show in Landgraaf and of course they were also selling the cd. A few comparisons between the performance and the cd.
However on stage the band presented some quite powerfull neo-folk music, the cd is mixed quite ‘thin’ and in most songs lack the powerfull drumming and vocals that the band on stage does have. Around the end of the cd there are two songs (10 and 11) which do have the sound that the band deserves.
The show started with mostly tranquil songs in the vein that we are familiar with through the 10″ that was released on Eis & Licht last year (and which is also reviewed in these pages). This is also the kind of music that is on this cd. Later in the show came rather bombastic and powerfull songs of which are only a few on the cd. I hope these kind of songs are new and will be available soon.
There is quite a big role for the keyboards, which in many parts are actually too simple and do not help the songs much in my opinion. Fortunately the band also proves that they can be helpfull in a few songs.
Two songs of the 10″ are also to be found on “Vom Gedanken…”. Undoubtely very helpfull for those who do not possess one of the 510 copies, but those who do have this 10″ would probably prefer new songs.
As it seems the cd is self-released in a digipack with a simple lay-out. I know it is available from Eis & Licht, so I suppose it will get the usual Eislicht distribution.
Overall I must conclude that the cd does have its moments, but to me it is mostly just another neo-folk cd. I hope a new cd will have the more powerfull songs on it. The band has been on stage for two hours or so, so they definately must have enough material to release a new cd in not too much time.

Dies Natalis * :Raunen: (10″ 1999 eis & licht tonträger)

Apparently Eis & Licht from Germany only releases the best of material. Somehow they are able to sign brilliant young neo-folk bands and good bands of people who have been longer working with this kind of music. Fact is that I haven’t heard an Eislicht release that isn’t good. Unfortunately I found that out a little late, so now I have to rush to collect all the Eislicht releases that I don’t have and because all releases are limited (vinyl mostly to some 500 copies), this is quite a task.
But, I’m glad that I still got a copy of this 10″. Eislicht has a handfull left, so if you’re quick, you might be able to get a copy yourself.
:Raunen: is (of course, I’d almost say) a great release. I expected more drumming, but in fact this is mostly pretty romantic neo-folk. Striking is that of three song, two are sung in English, which is something most young neo-folk bands seem to prefer not to do. This piece of vinyl has to be played on 45 rpm, so unfortunately it is rather short. The good news is that a full-length cd is planned for the end of this year.
Keep an eye on this great new band.
Oh, and to those who know this 10″, no I don’t have another version. I just like the picture on the back so much, that I combined the front and the back cover.

Der Blutharsch * Fire Danger Season (4cd 2002 wkn)

For a long time I have doubted whether or not to buy this expensive box (but there is an even more expensive version). In the end the content proved to be slightly different from what I thought it was and I got a change to listen to the music in a recordstore as well.
So, a little leather bag with four cds. A shaped cd with 20 minutes of unreleased material, which is all nice. A cd with material released on different compilations and I didn’t have most of it, so that is good. The tracks vary from alright to brilliant, but most tracks are actually very good! The other two cds are by different bands who made their impression of Der Blutharsch, either by reworking a specific track or by using Der Blutharsch samples. Some tracks are very recognisably Der Blutharsch, sometimes it is just a track by a project, sometimes a combination between the two. Not only Hau Ruck!-bands as I expected and most tracks are actually very good again! Brilliant tracks by Dernière Volonté and Bearer Of The Inmost Sun. The bands that I didn’t know and which are Hau Ruck!-bands proved to be neofolk bands…
Anyway, expensive, but worth the money. Nice package and mostly very nice music. <4>