ORPLID

"Sterbender Satyr"

Auerbach Tonträger - 2006

CD

In nearly ten years of existence, Orplid have consolidated their fame as the leading group in the German neofolk scene, strong of their epic and thundering combat folk, perfectly represented by anthems like "Im Sturm" or "Wiehlands Fluch". While previous full-length "Nächtliche Jünger" already showed interest for more introspective and pastoral songs, the new "Sterbender Satyr" moves into completely different directions, with a collection of experimental and electronic compositions, almost ambient, just occasionally enriched by Frank Machau's guitar.

The CD opens with quite familiar atmospheres: "Der Letzte Ikaride" is an icy and minimal keyboard melody, with echoes of things listened on "Das Schicksal", while "Auf Deine Lider Senk Ich Schlummer" is a gentle and crepuscular ballad, in the vein of "Nächtliche Jünger". Things start to change radically with the third track, "Die Seherin", where a dramatic electronic scenery drifts and shifts in the background, tribal drums and percussions beat unstoppably, and the unsettling voice of a fortune teller, remembering a bit of Nina Hagen, whispers, sings and screams her mad ritual chant. More surprises wait ahead: pure twilight ambient music can be listened in "Parzivals Traum" and "Gesang Der Quellnymphe", the beautiful song of the nymph of the source, whereas "Amils Abendgebet" and "Erster Frost" boasts surprisingly Mediterranean-sounding strings and electronic beats.

The influence of Frank's side-project Primus Inter Pares is evident in "Schneeglockenreigen", that combines a sweet melody with a xylophone that suggests to the listener the movement of snowdrops, and "Sang Am Abend", with its keyboard tunes and dreamy, liquid string chords. Psychedelic neofolk? The definition doesn't sound so hazardous listening to "Heimkehr", a eerie waving and bubbling of electronic sounds and disturbing shrieking female voices.

With this release Orplid didn't fail to show a precise will to go beyond their original sound and explore new territories, this time embodying electronic, ambient and new wave influences. While eagerly waiting for their next step, we can hope that the whole neofolk scene will be following their example, moving, like they say, "auf unbekanntem Pfade".

- Simon V.

Website: http://www.orplid.de

Myspace: http://www.myspace.com/noltex

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