| CD REVIEW Nachtgeschrei |
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Band: Nachtgeschrei German combo Nachtgeschrei were formed about five-six years ago, yet in spite of the young age of the band, they did release two full lengths in mean time, both of them through Massacre: Hoffnungschimmer (2008) and Am Rande Der Welt (2009 – posted on March 28th 2009). They were able to perform on huge festivals (Ragnarök, Wave Gotik Treffen, Paganfest etc) or with well-known colleagues (Korpiklaani, Eluveitie, In Extremo, Ensiferum etc), and 2009 saw the start of a fan-club as well. Ardeo, which means ‘I burn’, is the third full length, which got recorded at SU2 Studio again, and it lasts for fifty minutes. And like both former albums, this one brings a mixture of Rock, Metal, Folk and Medieval Music. First of all it has to do with the instrumentation, the use of traditional and medieval instruments (among which bag pipes, flute, accordion and hurdy gurdy. The vocals too, in their mother tongue, are of importance hereto: melodic and clean, not of the high-pitched kind.
In an overcrowded Folk-scene nowadays, this band might stand out because of a rather original approach. This band is not one ‘that sounds like’ one or another specific formation. But don’t expect an original band, all right? It’s just that they do not copy a well-selling colleague in all its aspects; this band combines elements from different bands within the scene, both medieval-folksy oriented (think some Black Bards Entertainment-combos, or the likes of Schandmaul/ Subway To Sally/ Saltatio Mortis/ In Extremo/ …) and somewhat heavier stuff (Eluveitie, Equilibrium, XIV Dark Centuries etc); and yes, even Skyclad or Iron Clad are names that might come to mind from time to time.
When it comes to ‘heaviness’, this one is strongly comparable to the debut than it is to the second full length, which was more up-tempo. The Metal-influences are inferior to the Folk Rock elements, but Nachtgeschrei remain a Rock / Metal combo and therefore it won’t be necessarily tastefully devoured by fans of, let’s say, Corvus Corax or Freibürger Spielleyt.
Positive element is the fact that there’s more variation this time: neo-emotional ballads, up-tempo rockers, melancholic hymns, catchy sing-alongs, … Yet will it stand out gloriously these days (at least outside their home country)? 65/100 Ivan Tibos. |
