detailed info: discogs.com

A compilation dedicated to the long-standing Austrian industrial project Allerseelen is a very understandable thing, after over twenty years of activity in the European underground. Drawing mostly from the rich roster of Steinklang/Ahnstern [...]]]> artist: Various Artists
release: Mit Fester Hand – Allerseelenlieder
format: CD
year of release: 2011
label: Ahnstern
duration: 88:19

detailed info: discogs.com

A compilation dedicated to the long-standing Austrian industrial project Allerseelen is a very understandable thing, after over twenty years of activity in the European underground. Drawing mostly from the rich roster of Steinklang/Ahnstern label artists, Mit Fester Hand presents an interesting overview of Allerseelen work in varying interpretations, though mostly within the neofolk corner.

An individual treatment of all tracks on this compilation would be a bit too much, in my opinion, but there are certainly quite a few tracks worth mentioning on the CD. Not everything is very exciting, and the compilation has a rather unassuming take-off with a few average tracks, but the overall sound is constant and pleasant to listen to. In my opinion, things start to take off properly with the organ-heavy version of  ”Flamme” by Die Weisse Rose. The Blood Axis & Sangre Cavallum version of “Sonne Golthi-Ade” is also very nice, particularly because of the organic folk sound, and the typical mediterranean instrumentation we can hear on other Sangre Cavallum work. Larrnakh provide an atmospheric point of rest in the album with a great mixture of ambient and folk styles. Àrnica in their turn impress me with a very stripped down folk style that feels very ritual and intimate. One of my favourite tracks must be the surprising “Flama” by Der Arbeiter, a very well-flowing flamenco-inspired track. Also interesting – both kitschy and catchy – is the bombastic electro of Der Feuerkreiner on “Feuersalamander”. The Svarrogh version of “Heiliges Blut” deserves mention too, not in the least because of its playful nod towards NON‘s “Total War”. Closing off the album is obviously the title track in its Allerseelen version, a powerful track with beat and martial samples, dedicated to a radical self-transformation. A pity that the Von Thronstahl version of this track wasn’t included as well (released last year by Cold Spring on the Conscriptum compilation) as it too provides a powerful version of this song.

Though not everything on Mit Fester Hand is pure gold, I’d say it is a very honourable tribute to Allerseelen and an important part of any collection of that band’s works, as well as an interesting release to check out for anyone in the European industrial/neofolk area.

Reviewed by O.S.

Tracklist:

1 Ernte – Santa Sangre (Jodorowsky Mix) (2:10)
2 Tyr-Kreis – Ernting (3:34)
3 Haberfeld – Olle Lust Wui Ewigkeit (4:53)
4 Die Weisse Rose – Flamme (3:52)
5 Fanes – Sonne Golthi-Ade (4:14)
6 Sagittarius – Musa (4:31)
7 Scivias – Idun (4:04)
8 Fräkmündt – Firnföuskamerad (4:08)
9 Hrefnesholt – Herbstlied (5:34)
10 Ô Paradis – Marqués De Púbol (4:45)
11 Blood Axis & Sangre Cavallum – Sonne Golthi-Ade (3:51)
12 Sturmpercht – Sturmlied (5:24)
13 Larrnakh – Knistern (4:30)
14 Àrnica – Foc De Salamandra (5:11)
15 Klammheim – Allerseelen (5:23)
16 Der Arbeiter – Flama (4:53)
17 Der Feuerkreiner – Feuersalamander (5:05)
18 Cawatana – Alle Lust Will Ewigkeit (3:57)
19 Svarrogh – Heiliges Blut (4:40)
20 Allerseelen – Mit Fester Hand (3:40)

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 [...]]]> 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)