Sixteen unique, expressive and headstrong songs grant the listener a passionate glimpse of the Alpine areas of inner Switzerland. On “Heiwehland”, accordion, guitars, hurdy-gurdy, bass, flutes, and the percussion contributed by Merlin (Eluveitie) blend together to form the unique and unconventional Swiss Ur-Folk. The varied songs in Swiss Alemannic dialect take you to a more than one hour long journey into the heart of the alps. They speak of historic events, tragic tales, frightening creatures, strange events, mysterious beings and the melancholic longing for a beautiful homeland that is disappearing in its original form but also about its outlasting beauty. As on the previous album “Urbärglieder”, traditional songs are reinterpreted and of course the comical and humorous elements have their place. The extensive digipak contains a 20-page booklet full of breathtaking Alpine photography and includes all the lyrics in Swiss Alemannic dialect as well as their description in English.
UK 11£
Europe 12£
World 13£
QUANTITY
FRAKMUNDT - 'Urbarglieder' CD (Percht)
Amazing and unique debut CD of the Swiss Ur-Folk project Fräkmündt, born out of the idea to revive old sagas and nearly forgotten songs and atmospheres of the alpine regions of Switzerland. Performed in alemannic central-Swiss dialect, the songs on "Urbärglieder" simulate a journey through landscapes of the quaint regions of Switzerland. They let you chase through stormwinds with the wild hunt at mount Pilatus or stroll under the paintings of the danse macabre over the Spreuerbridge in Lucerne. One can meet the devil in the Schöllenen gorge and follow the alpine herdsmen during their sad walk down to the valleys in autumn. The album is alternated by two sound-accentuated sagas and two atmospheric pieces, letting one share the horrors of the ghost-house in Stans and the mythical ambiance inside the Mondmilchloch cave. On "Urbärglieder" acoustic guitars, accordion, violin, flutes and various percussion instruments generate melancholic melodies full of nostalgia, but also rousing hymns which invite to dance. With "Urbärglieder" a piece of extraordinary Ur-Folk music was born, telling in its very own way the stories that are almost forgotten. Features cz (Vinterriket, Atomtrakt, Nebelkorona etc). Deluxe digipak with 16 page booklet.
"Uufwärts e d’Föuse" (Upward to the rocks) is a conceptual album which takes the listener on an imposing musical journey to untouched Alpine areas. As on "Urbärglieder" all tracks are presented in the typical Fräkmündt Central-Swiss alemannic dialect. After an "Alp-Blessing" ("Aupsääge"), the journey upwards is visualised using acoustic guitars, accordion, drums, hurdy-gurdy melodies and flute. The nighttime track “Höttehock” is a swinging and wild traditional dancing track with a catchy accordion melody and nice acoustic guitars. The last track "Stouz ond frey" (proud and free) is a devotional and powerful song with profound hurdy-gurdy, rhythmic guitar melodies and catchy accordion tunes. The MCD ends with a Dark Alpine Ambient track called "Bärgtröim" (Mountain Dreams) which smoothly leads the listener back to the valley. A varied 27-minute piece of extraordinary Ur-Folk music, which perfectly describes the mystic and legendary Alpine areas. Outsize sleeve.
VA - 'Mit Fester Hand - Allerseelenlieder' CD (Ahnstern / Steinklang)
Brilliant new compilation of Allerseelen cover versions by friends of Gerhard Hallstatt (Allerseelen). Features: Allerseelen, Àrnica, Blood Axis & Sangre Cavallum, Cawatana, Der Arbeiter, Der Feuerkreiner, Die Weisse Rose, Ernte, Fanes, Fräkmündt, Haberfeld, Hrefnesholt, Klammheim, Larrnakh, Ô Paradis, Sagittarius, Scivias, Sturmpercht, Svarrogh and Tyr-Kreis. An astounding 88 minutes of Neofolk music in a 6-panel digipak.
UK 11£
Europe 12£
World 13£
QUANTITY
VA - 'Oak Folk' CD (Ahnstern / Steinklang)
Oak Folk is a CD anthology compiled by Gerhard Hallstatt (Allerseelen) with exclusive contributions by numerous European and North American groups who have one thing in common: a close connection to nature, to trees and woods. All the groups were invited to write a song about the sacred oaktree. The result is a wonderful compilation with songs with an atmosphere somewhere between Dark Ambient, Folklore and sometimes even a slight Black Metal touch. Features: Agalloch, Allerseelen, Àrnica, Changes, Dânnâgôischd, Fräkmündt, Hrefnesholt, Klammheim, Splinterskin, Sturmpercht, Waldteufel and Werra. 6-panel digipak. HIGHLY RECOMMENDED!!
VA - 'Pagan Folk Und Apocalyptic Psychedelia Kapitel II' CD (Ahnstern / Steinklang)
A 19 track sampler promoting titles on the Steinklang label and sublabels (Ahnstern, Heimatfolk, Percht, Sturmklang). Alpine Folk, Neofolk, Acoustic compositions from: Allerseelen, Atomtrakt, Birch Book, Dânnâgôischd, Dead Man's Hill, Fräkmündt, Hrefnesholt, Irij, Jännerwein, Larrnakh, Le Testament De La Lumière, Miel Noir, Moon Far Away, Phase II, Stormfågel, Sturmpercht, Uruk-Hai, Vinterriket and Wappenbund. Card sleeve.
