STURMPERCHT

"Geister Im Waldgebirg"

Percht / Steinklang Industries - 2006

CD / 2 LP - 340 copies

Sturmpercht, the bizarre troop of Austrian alpine demons, are back with the second full-length release, after their by now well-known very limited wooden-boxed debut. "Geister Im Waldgebirg" is this time available also as CD, besides the double vinyl version that comes inside another extremely luxurious package made of wood. M. Percht and friends lead us once again through the magic and hidden paths covered in snow of the Alps, illustrating stories and legends at the sound of their unique folk tunes.

The album opens with a thundering interpretation of "Wir Rufen Deine Wölfe", the track, previously appeared on the famous sampler of the same name, that revealed their existence to the world. Together with Blood Axis, it was the best contribution to that exquisite collection, an epic, thrashing hymn built around marching drums, haunting accordions and deep, cavernous voices that would scare you to death if heard at night along a desolate walkway in the woods. Sturmpercht's music shifts between such powerful anthems and calmer, more atmospheric moments, where the vocals can be either sung or simply narrating. To the first category belong the beating "Kaiser Karl", the dancing "Allerseelenreigen", the catchy "Was Rauschet Und Was Brauset", while the melancholic "Waldeslust", the enchanting "Der Knabe Im Moor" and the fairy tale of "Durch Berg Und Tal" are to be included in the second.

On the whole, it's the calmer and gentler side of the Austrian group's music to be on spotlight, and German has sounded as sweet and charming just in the early Forseti. These qualities assure a pleasant, calm and enjoyable listening experience. Neofolk aficionados will surely appreciate this second chapter of the Perchten's adventures, and so are likely to do most lovers of magic and mysterious sonorities.

- Simon V.

Website: http://www.raunend.com/sturmpercht

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

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