| CD REVIEW Nebelhexë |
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Band: Nebelhexë Norwegian multi-instrumentalist/ singer Andrea Haugen originally started a career as model in London, but soon quit that in favour of travelling throughout Britain with a bunch of New Age travellers and Irish gypsies. Shocked by human ignorance and apathy, and always attracted to the spiritual with a deep connection to animals, she found her kindred spirit in diverse magical, pagan and esotheric circles. She eventually became a Fetish model, and became a known act with notorious artistic performances (she hitched on route with Cradle Of Filth for a while, amongst others, and even did a guest performance on COF’s 1993 album The Principle Of Evil Made Flesh). Her musical interests aroused, she took on the surname of Nebelhexe, and as Aghast released the obscure and ghostly Dark Ambient album Hexerei im Zwilicht der Finsternis on the legendary Cold Meat Industry labelin 1994 (for those interested – and count myself among those – the album was re-issued in digipak format by Eternal Pride Productions on January 1st of this year). I guess she then got acquainted with Satyricon’s Samoth, whom she also married. In 1996 Andrea contributes to the Satyricon album Nemeis Divina, and shortly after she again starts up her own musical project, this time under the name of Hagelaz’ Runedance (one which I would come across early this decade, and one which has always left me wondering somewhat – I’m afraid I have to admit never having had the time to actually get acquainted though), an Ambient Folk project with which she explores Pagan Folk music elements. After an initial 1996 single titled When The Threes Were Silenced, follow 1998’s full-length The Winds That Sang Of Midgard’s Fire (to which Samoth under the name of Mr. Thermodsaeter Haugen - contributed viola, contrabass, and battle drums…but then he wasn’t the only musician guesting on that album, a total of 6 extra musicians – and even a Viking Choir – making diverse contributions), released through the Elfenblut label…and I very much suspect that she then erected her own Well Of Urd label (on which all following Hagelaz’ Runedance releases would be issued), because the ensuing 1999 (5-track) EP was called Urd – That Which Was (this time around with a “steady” line-up including synth/ guitar player Svein Inge Havraas, harp player Thorbjorn Akkerhaugen – who’d already contributed and engineered the band’s full-length debut – and battle drum player Trym). Prior to the 2000 full-length Volven, HR issued a limited pre-album single On Wings Of Rapture (a song on the full-length in its “normal” version, the single containing also a longer version), and the band’s last album Frigga’s Web was issued in 2002. Interesting to know is that Andrea also is a respected writer. She has a column called Seriously, The Things That Irritate Nebelhexe in a Norwegian Gothic magazine, but she also is the writer of thought-provoking publications and articles about the darker aspects of human nature, animalistic instincts, and other esotheric/ toboo subjects…which became quite popular in the alternative and Metal music scenes. On top, she wrote a book about the understanding of Norwegian myths…but her preference goes to the writing of her dark surrealistic stories, such as her comic One Autumn Day (interested parties should by all means check out the lady’s MySpace page). Anyway, by that time Andrea had apparently come to a re-thinking of her musical approach (“…become her-self again…” as she puts it), and when she returned to the scene as Nebelhexë with the 2004 album Laguz – Within The Lake (released by the then new, now defunkt Karmageddon Media), her music, still rooted in Ambient Folk, was geared more towards Gothic…containing at the same time a higher degree of electronic elements! The ensuing Essensual (October 2006) was issued through another ill-fated label (Black Lotus), before she got a home in the far steadier roster of the Candlelight label. Overall, Nebelhexë’s lyrics are said (dixit her page on MySpace) to deal with with her own obscure experiences, dreams, magical visions, vampires and animalistic impulses, dream gods, animal abuse, the yearn for freedom, her thoughts about society…but in contrast of/to some so-called “traditional heathen” Paganists, she likes to look at things from a more positive and enjoyable side. Which has already gained her quite a bit of insulting e-mails and even “threats” from such inclined stuck-up, one-sided individuals …whom, if you ask me, are too short-sighted to even understànd that by wanting to restrict others in living out their feelings and thoughts, they’re also restricting their own liberties through the implementation of their silly little rules! Aaààrrrghhh…well, don’t get me started! In essence, I tótally agree with Andrea that this kind of people who’re out to trash other people’s artistic expressions in their usually somewhat irrational ways, are usually those who don’t (can’t) create anything themselves! Time to talk music, by the way…and I can only say that what Andrea akà Nebelhexë has brought here has enchanted me throughout the many listening sessions I’ve already given the album! I certainly can understand why her music has been much-appreciated in the Metal scene, as you dó get some nice esotheric electric guitar played in quite a few of the songs…even if the mood overall is one of Ambient, mind you! Occasionally, there’s an emphasis on Folk with the playing of some “battle” drums or mandolin (or some other obscure Norwegian string instrument), a directional change to minimalism (as during the track “In My Dreams I Am Free”, which is also partly spoken word, vocally), but overall you can say that there is a nice layering throughout the album (which has gained the artist a label of being “too complex” in the past…a label which I don’t really get, because whàt can be more adventurous about an album as when you listen to it over and over again…to uncover different details each time?). I’ll be the first to admit not always understanding what Andrea talks/sings about exactly (for instance, “19th Century Ghost”…ís that about an Indian love story, or has it different meanings? I’m afraid I would have to consult the lyric booklet of the retail version of the album which I already ordered), but the way she brings it is só beautiful (she also does her own, occasionally multi-layered, backing vocals) you can’t help being pulled in, being a romantic soul yourself! You can get a whiff of what’s on this new album by checking out myspace.com/nebelhexe, where you’ll find 3 new songs (a link to a 4th song, the above mentioned “In My Dreams I Am Free”, can be found in the blog, posted 28/10/2008) posted alongside 4 songs (and 2 videos) off the older albums…quite enough to give you an idea of what this wonderful White Witch is all about! Darned…and I forgot to order her previous albums, stupid me!!! Anyway, food for the year-lists, darlings!!! 98/100 Tony. |