detailed info: discogs.com

Recorded in Rome in 2008, Demian is the second full length album by Rose Rovine E Amanti (mastermind: Damiano Mercuri) on Cold Spring Records. The album collects ten tracks of hot-blooded neofolk with [...]]]> artist: Rose Rovine E Amanti
release: Demian
format: CD
year of release: 2009
label: Cold Spring
duration: 42:52

detailed info: discogs.com

Recorded in Rome in 2008, Demian is the second full length album by Rose Rovine E Amanti (mastermind: Damiano Mercuri) on Cold Spring Records. The album collects ten tracks of hot-blooded neofolk with a flair that is the trademark of many Mediterranean artists working in this field.

The songs on this album alternate between Italian and English, balladry and more powerful rock-influenced tracks, striking an enjoyable balance between calm pieces and more bracing work. There is a strong influence of Southern European folk and pop sensibility, which places the sound somewhere on a continuum between Sangre Cavallum and Spiritual Front. The more rocking tracks tend to stand out, because they offer a gripping appeal that is not present as much in the more generic slow songs. The title track is easily the best, fusing heavy martial industrial percussion with powerful acoustic guitar chords and a catchy song structure, and a swirling violin solo by Giuseppe Lorenzoni, reminiscent of Matt Howden‘s style. Equally strong is the bass-driven “From Desperation to Victory”, highlighting the martial theme that is still at the forefront of much contemporary neofolk.

And, like many of his contemporaries, Mercuri isn’t truly pushing the (sub)genre any further. The themes, the style, the sound, the atmosphere, we’ve heard it before in quite some places. In this sense, Rose Rovine E Amanti is a natural player in the process that practically all specialised styles of music succumb to: stagnation. That doesn’t mean Demian isn’t a good or enjoyable album, because it certainly is, if you’re in the right mood. It does mean that this album is niche music and recommended mostly to people operating within that niche.

Reviewed by O.S.

Tracklist:

1 Il Gatto Osserva (2:30)
2 Rose Rovine E Amanti (5:17)
3 Demian (3:53)
4 Il Grande Tradimento (5:04)
5 From Desperation To Victory (2:50)
6 The End Of This World ( 5:00)
7 Paura Del Demonio (5:23)
8 Mille Serpi (3:47)
9 Noi Ritorneremo (3:39)
10 Ave Maria (5:34)

detailed info: discogs.com.

Sagittarius is a German project headed by Cornelius Waldner, and it’s been around for a couple of years, with a few limited releases. This album, however, [...]]]> artist: Sagittarius
release: Songs from the Ivory Tower
format: CD
year of release: 2008
label: Cold Spring
duration: 46:44

detailed info: discogs.com.

Sagittarius is a German project headed by Cornelius Waldner, and it’s been around for a couple of years, with a few limited releases. This album, however, is their first on a bigger label like Cold Spring. What we get is about three quarters of an hour worth of calm neoclassical and neofolk, with piano as the dominant instrument. Most of the tracks are based on German poems, but with a bit of English and instrumental work thrown in as well.

The poems cover a range of topics, ranging from traditional romanticism, melancholia, and modern cultural criticism. This unites different areas from conceptual spectrum of neofolk, which is nice to see. The album certainly isn’t hung up on a single theme. The variation in terms of music isn’t very great, being based as said on piano, with the occasional addition of flute, cello, and guitar, sometimes provided by guest artists like Marcel P. (Allerseelen) and Damiano Mercuri (Rose Rovine E Amanti). However, in this case I don’t think it is a negative point for the album, which has a focused flow, somewhat comparable to that of Current 93‘s Soft Black Stars. The vocals are also varied, with guest singers like Troy Southgate (HERR) and Herr Twiggs (Kammer Sieben). I must say the performance of each of these guest performances varies in quality, but it never detracts from the overall atmosphere of the album.

I can be fairly brief about this one: it’s simply a very decent album. Certainly recommended for neofolk lovers, especially if you enjoy a calmer and perhaps distinctly German style, comparable to Orplid or Forseti. However, if you’re not particularly fond of neofolk or neoclassical, this album most likely won’t change your mind.

Reviewed by O.S.

Tracklist:

1. Nihil Arisen (3:43)
2. Du Stehst Am Alten Gartentor Und Schweigst (3:48)
3. Der Sommer, Den Die Erntezeit Gekrönt (2:27)
4. Die Nächtlichen Geschicke (1:39)
5. An Des Meeres Strand (4:01)
6. Trunkene Flut (3:14)
7. Das Lied (2:47)
8. Der Gute Kamerad (2:24)
9. Menuet Von Johann Krieger (Für H.E.R.R.) (1:24)
10. Cupio Dissolvi (4:48)
11. Sternwandel V (2:15)
12. Nova Apocalypsis (4:04)
13. Europa Calling (3:51)
14. In Signo Solis (3:33)

15. The Song (2:46)