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neofolk

Belborn * 3 (cd 2001 world serpent)

It has been a while since Belborn released their first untitled cd. That cd contains simple and charming neo-folk with wave- influences. When I put on “3” for the first time, I feared that Holger and Susan put more stress on the wave/gothic influences. The synths are definately more prominent this time and the music is less folky. After a few listenings I must say that “3” is definately still Belborn, but they definately moved a bit more towards a gothic/wave sound. The music is still quite simple, the lyrics are again sung in German but translated in English in the booklet and the lyrics and package again are quite folkish.
I think “3” is not too bad, but I like the debut better.

Belborn * Seelenruhe (picture 7″ 2000 world serpent)

For a World Serpent item, this exclusive 7″ wasn’t even that expensive. Those of you who own the cd (also see review elsewhere) will know what to expect. For the rest, Belborn makes a rather simple, but charming mix between neo-folk and (here not too obvious) 80’ies wave. The two songs here are neo-folk songs. They sound nice and the disc looks pretty nice as well.

Belborn * s/t (cd 2000 world serpent)

Again a new folkband from Germany. Apparently one release was enough for this band to reach somewhat of a cultstatus.
This untitled debut does indeed contain a bunch of very enjoyable neo-folk songs. The music is rather primitive, which is sometimes charming, but sometimes not so charming. It sounds like that most of the music is electronic beside the vocals and acoustic guitars. Especially the marchdrums sound a bit too synthetic for me. There are also two wave-like songs with a drumcomputer that were better left out.
Most of the cd contains very nice neo-folk though, with only vocals and a guitar and sometimes an instrument more. The nice melodies and amount of vocals makes this cd a nice one to sing along. And those who would like to learn a little German can also check the lyrics which are printed both in German and in English.

Backworld * Hands Of Ash/Melody (7″ 2000? world serpent)

However I have and like the first cd “Isles Of The Blest” (1998) I am not too much into this melancholic neo-folk, but I do like these small vinyls, so when I noticed this (supposedly older) 7″ I decided to get it anyway. In contradiction to the cd that I have, this 7″ is not very good. One neo-folk song is just alright and the other song is more a soft pop like thing which I don’t like at all. <29/6/01><2>

As All Die * Time Of War And Conflict (cd 2001 crowd control activities)

In a not too professionally produced box comes the first cd of As All Die who you may know from the Dragonflight compilation “The Cold The Silent” of 1999. “Time Of War And Conflict” contains slightly primitive atmospheric music with spoken voice, some more gothic/folky tunes with a guitar and a long and not too good piece of dark industrial ambient. It is not very good, but definately not very bad. Overall the cd reminds me a bit of Elhaz’ “The Black Flame” (97 memento mori), definately regarding atmosphere.

A Challenge Of Honour * Nacht Fiel Über Gotenhafen (10″ 2002 divine comedy records)

Available early november, the second 10″ of a trilogy about the madness of mankind. This time you get two long track instead of four shorter as on “Angelic Torment” (see elsewhere). The first act opens neofolk-like with drumming and a twisted guitar-sound going over in soft industrial. The second track opens in an ambient manner, goes over in a more neofolk sound and later the bombastic industrial style that makes us like this project so much. Of course you will also again get the story behind this release, which is actually also the delay for this release.
But all in all much more to the older sound than the much darker previous 10″, but as usual, pretty good! Be sure to keep your eyes open or make a pre-order, because this 10″ will be limited again. <14/10/02><4>

A Challenge Of Honour * The Right Place (cdr 2002 stahlklang audio)

This isn’t exactly the first ACOH review on these pages. As a matter of fact the “The Right Place” demo was the first sign of ACOH that came to me some 15 months ago. In that time the band was still Johan König, later Peter Savelkoul of Above The Ruins / Stahlklang Audio / etc. joined and eventually continued alone. The 7 tracks of the demo are here and further 5 newer tracks which are of course by mr Savelkoul. The cd starts with orchestral industrial reminding a bit of Der Blutharsch or Dernière Volonté, sometimes rather soft, sometimes harder. Also there is an acoustric track and one with Sleepy Hollow soundtrack samples (also used a bit too much on the “Only Stones Remain” cd) and some tracks are better than I remember from the demo. The newer tracks are very orchestral and bombastic and mostly very good too! Quite a classic release again from the Netherlands. ACOH articles are usually very limited, but released a couple of times. There are 100 copies of this cd in a nice A5 package and other early ACOH releases are made available again as well. Try to miss them not.

v/a * Codreanu – Eine Erinnerung An Den Kampf (cd 2001 oktagön/neue europäische kultur)

After many problems and long delays finally the compilation dedicated to Corneliu Zelea Codreanu (1899-1938) and the Iron Guard is available. The first edition has 100 copies and comes in an A5 52 page booklet and further with two small books, two posters and a load of cards.
You will find a lot of texts about Codreanu and the Iron Guard of course (the Guard of today also contributed to this release). The articles are from Martin Schwarz, Kadmon, Josef Klump, Michael Moynihan among others and in English and German.
There are two cds with Von Thronstahl, Entr’aide Nationale feat. Karceral Flesh, Belborn, Tribe of Circle, Warcom, Dawn & Dusk Entwined, Ain Soph, Scivias, Blood Axis (old track!), The Days Of The Trumpet Call, Londinium Spqr, Book & Sword, Changes/Soul of Steel, Egoades/Natural Faith Project, Socrates Wounded, Marienburg Jugend, Invisible Empire, Foresta Di Ferro, Argine, Wutanes Heer, Sotto Fascia Semplice and my personal favourites Darkwood, Novo Homo, Dernière Volonté, Spiritual Front and Republik Awake. As you can see both industrial and neo-folk and some other music and well-known and less-known projects. Most tracks are (or at least were) exclusive.
Definately the compilation highlight of recent times! Be sure to get a copy of the second version which is limited to 400 copies.

Tempesta Noire * Wolves And Cathedrals/A Ship Is Burning (7″ 2001 triton)

I already had a demo, two 7″s and compilation contributions of this German band and still it seems that they are not able to release a cd. All material that I know is very nice, so I wonder what the reason for this is. Tempesta Noire makes not too typical neo-folk with very nice male vocals. Sometimes there are some industrial, gothic or general ‘atmospheric’ influences. On this 7″ you will hear a nice song of the band itself and a Sol Invictus cover, which is also quite nice.