Band: Dornenreich

Title: In Luft Geritzt

Label: Prophecy Records

Distribution: Suburban

Release date: 12/05/2008

Review: CD

The Austrian formation Dornenreich is an ever-evolving project with a very recognizable yet absolute unusual musical approach. While the first albums did have clear hints to the Black Metal scene, Dornenreich’s music evolved towards a more folkish, semi-acoustic style, yet without losing the apart arrangements that make this band so unique. Indeed, this project around mastermind Eviga (Jochen Stock; all vocals, guitars and percussion) is a splendid example for the Prophecy-catalogue! Together with violin player Inve, who works together with Eviga since the 2006-album Durch Den Traum, the latter created In Luft Geritzt, having duration of almost forty five minutes. This album is a new step in Dornenreich’s history, still Dornenreich, but renewing again. The songs are to be considered some kind of acoustic soundscape with a natural atmosphere. The violins do give the whole a somewhat Gipsy-ish touch, while the vocals (whispers, mourning, soft grunts and semi-spoken words) can only be considered an additional instrument, not the main basics for Dornenreich’s music. In Luft Geritzt probably is one of the most introspective albums from this millennium, and even though the (Black) ‘Metal’-approach has completely gone, I’m sure this album will please the open-minded fans of many Metal-fans, yet also everyone who can appreciate, for example, Goethes Erben. A pure Prophecy-release!

80/100

Ivan Tibos.