Reviews:

From La Defuncion:

  Pocas son las formaciones húngaras que conozco, pero por otro lado esas pocas son de muchísima calidad. Por citar algunas podríamos irnos a los míticos Actus o Scivias, o más recientemente a The Moon And The Nightspirit. Cierto es que ese país del Este posee una gran tradición musical, sobre todo en la música clásica, lo que se deriva en la gran cantidad de músicos que posee ese “pequeño país”.

  Está vez para salvar el escollo que significa la falta de sellos especializados de cierta relevancia, la banda ha fichado para su álbum debut con el prestigioso sello británico Cold Spring, y parece que no ha sido mala elección para ninguno, ya que el CD se ha convertido en uno de los discos más vendidos por el sello y la banda se ha hecho un hueco en la escena.

  En cuanto a lo musical la banda gira en torno a los patrones de la música industrial más marcial, dejando ciertos momentos para deleitarnos con algunos temas de corte industrial. Por supuesto no podían faltar ni los sampler marciales en forma de discursos ni las percusiones dominantes simulando verdaderos bombardeos y auténticas batallas épicas, por lo que te imaginarás que el disco no rebosa originalidad, detalle que subsana inmediatamente con una producción exquisita y una base rítmica soberbia. En cuanto a la inspiración, al enfoque conceptual, esta vez gira a la figura de Carlos IV, tótem fundamental elegido para justificar tanto aire bélico. Por otro lado podemos oír textos del filósofo Béla Hamvas.

  Si como un servidor eres fans de este tipo de sonidos sin necesidad de estar buscando novedad y originalidad a cada acorde, este disco te gustará, sencillamente por que es un buen disco, bien hecho y bien producido, seguro que no te defrauda.

From Holy Steel: (by Gregorio Bardini)

  Il primo album ufficiale dei magiari Kriegsfall-U. è veramente sorprendente sia per quel che concerne le tematiche trattate, esplicitamente cattoliche, sia per quel che riguarda le composizioni musicali, profondamente influenzate dal rumorismo industriale anni ’80 (Z’ev, Factix, Monte Cazazza), che tengono presente diverse esperienze musicali dell’area neofolk, molto attenta alla “militaria sonora” della I e della II Guerra mondiale.

  Non è la prima volta che ci giungono novità di tal portata qualitativa provenienti dall’Ungheria: basti pensare ad un gruppo come gli ACTUS. Nel caso in questione non è l’esoterismo la tematica proposta a livello grafico, testuale e programmatico, bensì una chiara adesione alla fede in Cristo e all’identità cristiana. Oltre a numerosi riferimenti al pensatore tradizionalista magiaro Bèla Hamvas è significativa la dedica a questi congiuntamente a quella all’ultimo Imperatore dell’Impero Austro-ungarico, il Beato Carlo d’Absburgo, raffigurato nel booklet sul letto di morte.

  Rantolii, bisbiglii, clangori urticanti, marce plumbee, echi sinistri, voci spettrali danubiane, militaria d’antiquariato, tempeste d’acciaio, ectoplasmi sonori, archeologia industriale, folklore transilvanico e sciamanesimo “metallurgico” accompagnano voci catacombali che inneggiano al Sacro Romano Impero, ai Re cristiani, agli eroi delle nazioni europee e alla tradizione cattolica, in un’atmosfera dai contorni sacrali neo-medievali e post-moderni.

  I brani risultano particolarmente suggestivi grazie all’impiego della lingua ungherese (i testi delle canzoni sono riportati nel booklet anche in inglese) e sono tutti di grande impatto emotivo. Consigliatissimo. (10/10)

From Medienkonverter: (by Veit)

  Die ungarische Combo Kriegsfall-U hat ihren Namen einer wahnwitzigen Idee von Erzherzog Franz Ferdinand von Österreich-Este entnommen, der Ungarn von der Landkarte tilgen wollte und den so genannten "Kriegsfall U"(ngarn) plante. Insofern also kein Wunder, dass ihr Debütalbum einen gewissen Bezug auf die ungarische Folklore nimmt. Zudem sind alle Lyrics auf dem selbstbetitelten Album in Ungarisch gehalten, ihre englische Übersetzung kann man im Booklet lesen, das gleichzeitig auch als Miniposter herhält. Nach der 7"-Split mit Wappenbund war es nur logisch, nun auch selbst den Schritt einer eigenen Veröffentlichung zu wagen. Musikalisch lassen sich Kriegsfall-U hingegen nicht so eindeutig festlegen. Irgendwo zwischen Ambient, Industrial, Ritual und Military Pop pendelt der Erstling.

  Orgelklänge, düsterer Sprechgesang und teils wuchtige Rhythmen lassen "Kriegsfall-U" beharrlich zwischen langsamen Melodien und aufschreckenden Beats pendeln. Hinzu kommt, dass mancher Track wie etwa "The Great Man I. - The Stance" sich in gähnender Belanglosigkeit ergeht und andere wie "The Ancient Lords" sehr schön mit folkloristischen Samples arbeiten, die sich wunderbar in den Song einfügen. Oder "Porta Heroum", dass mit massigen Beats und hallendem Sprechgesang sehr heroisch klingt. Irgendwie ein einständiges auf und ab, wobei aber der positivere Eindruck überwiegt. Etwas wirklich Neues gibt es auf Kriegsfall-U jedoch nicht zu entdecken. Dennoch bewahren sich Kriegsfall-U so viel Eigenständigkeit, dass sie sich nicht vor Vergleichen fürchten müssen. Allein die ungarischen Lyrics geben dem Album eine fremde und geheimnisvolle Note. Wenn sich die Musik auch noch weiter in diese esoterischere Richtung entwickeln würde und die guten Einfälle, die sich schon auf diesem Album zeigen noch weiter entwickelt würden, wäre Kriegsfall-U sicherlich bald ein Geheimtipp.

From Judas Kiss: (by AM)

  'Kriegsfall-U' is the debut recording by the Hungarian group Kriegsfall-U which comes housed in a luxury Digipak with A3 sized full colour poster inside with English translated lyrics of the songs. The seven tracks with a total running time of 36 minutes are dedicated to the memory of Blessed King Charles IV and Bela Hamvas. Their lyrics fall into philosophical / political rhetoric and tales of adulation and heroic conquests. The villains slain by the defenders of justice. Bloodied on the field of battle. Words alone, no matter how interesting or thought provoking, needs the appropriate musical accompaniment to bring them to life. To add the flesh to the bones. Mixing neo classical / neo folk / sacral post military Industrial music into one huge cauldron and stirring vigorously the unleashed combination never overwhelms the vocals. Instead by working in harmonious tandem, adding the required depth to certain passages or speech free interludes, the effects are electric. Never crushingly in your face, intruding awkwardly when least desired, the music reigns in any excesses which threaten to overpower the whole listening experience. Thus the electronic sound sculptures, strident marching beats and orchestrations are allowed to breath. To expand and develop creating an invigorating listening experience. Quiet, almost, reflective passages move gracefully into stirring martial anthems, some backed by diligent use of samples, onto hymnal choir inspired soundscapes. Backing this diverse musical accompaniment is the guttural deep vocals, given occasional echo effects or sounding like they are being spoken/sung through a megaphone, adding that extra dimension to the overall production of the pieces. There are / will be comparisons made to the likes of early Laibach, Les Joyaux De La Princess, Der Blutharsch, Sophia etc. This can't be helped as these and so many other like minded musicians were the pioneers of this style of music. Kriegsfall may have borrowed certa in elements or ideas from all of them in the making of 'Kriegsfall-U' but the end result is a recording that is both intelligent and individually stamped. Without doubt a dazzling debut 'Kriegsfall-U' shouldn't miss.

From Mentenebre: (by Davo)

  Desde Hungría nos llega este nuevo fichaje del emergente sello Cold Spring, todo un desafío o un escupitajo a la cara de los bienpensantes, un acero espléndidamente templado para golpear los yerros y los yugos de la autocomplacencia y que no piensa (o no parece pensar) dejar prisioneros.

  La espada que utilizan estos músicos húngaros metidos a filósofos “nietzschenianos” se fundamenta en tres elementos hartamente conocidos por los estetas de la musicalidad más lateralizada: folk, industrial, y martial; combinación magistral que se ha convertido desde hace ya unos cuantos años en lanza de con la que emanar todos los resquicios y desechos marginales que la sociedad va arrinconando no sólo en los burdeles de la democracia, sinó también en los recovecos de las conciencias, y que terminan germinando en flores negras con la malsana intención de provocar y de, por qué no, en el camino, vender unos cuantos discos.

  Así, los húngaros de Cold Spring se dedican con disciplina ufana a materializar tales eferencias, enfocando los objetivos con eficacia militar, dedicando esfuerzos y talento a desarrollar conceptos que, ahora, gracias a innumerables bandas que han abierto el camino, conectan al fin meridianamente con un acervo cultural innegable, un descuidado jardín en donde crece propensamente la maldad entendida como voluntad de cambio: Volkgeist, Krieg, y Führer: conexiones recónditas con antiguas referencias que no sólo nos conducen a un imaginario nacionalsocialista, sino que descienden de idearios románticos del siglo XIX, sentimientos altamente arraigados en almas sensibles pero que nuevamente son pervertidos, manipulados, reconvertidos desde la insatisfacción original en utensilios de mercadeo y de compra-venta, siempre desde el odio y el desprecio por lo que nos rodea y nos seduce con su máscara de libertad inaprensible.

  Desde tan explícita manifestación de los instintos, Kriegsfall-U redunda en la temática paneuropea, el culto al líder, la incuestionabilidad de unos valores que provienen directamente de Dios, la lucha de clases... El Volkgeist se expresa a través de loops decadentes en los que antiguas grabaciones son revitalizadas y reacondicionadas en un nuevo hábitat de insalubre sonoridad, el Führer es ahora Carlos IV, un rey traicionado que sueña desde su tumba con recuperar el trono, siendo la rítmica marcial un recordatorio de tan egregio personaje; la Guerra (Krieg) se manifiesta a través de brutales percusiones distorsionadas, despóticas detonaciones que trepanan los tímpanos y atribulan a los oyentes; Bela Hanvas –trasunto magiar de un Nietzsche cualquiera– se erige en articulador de toda este sofisma maniqueo...

  El resultado es un magnífico ejemplar discográfico, engalanado además de digipack y póster incluido, una nueva muesca en el revólver de Justin Mitchell, cabecilla del sello inglés aquí mencionado ya en excesivas ocasiones, y un repetido éxito de sonido, nostalgia y guerrilla que debe (repito: debe) atraernos de igual forma que nos pueda atraer un poema de D´Annunzio: siempre con la cabeza fría y la sonrisa en los labios, siempre con el espíritu atento y la vista inquieta, nunca pensando que tan emperifollada postura ideológica sea la verdadera en este confuso mundo de discapacitados en humanidad.

From Transmisiòn: (by Keni)

  De la mano del sello inglés Cold Spring nos llega esta nueva banda que pretende hacerse un hueco entre las grandes formaciones que se decantan por los sonidos marciales y rituales. Desde Hungria Kriegsfall-U presenta su disco conceptual homónimo, un trabajo dedicado a "Carlos IV" y al filósofa Béla Hamvas, cuyos textos utiliza en los dos temas, "The Great Man I" y "The Great Man II". Su música, sin ser nada novedosamente sorprendente, es sin embargo efectiva y atrayente, consiguiendo trasladar al oyente al mundo bélico y decadente que pretende transmitir. Pero no sólo los sonidos marciales caracterizan este trabajo, ya que Kriegsfall-U introduce composiciones ambient ("Those Who Are Still Waiting") y samples de música de principios de siglo ("The Ancient Lords") que recuerdan mucho a temas de Karjalan Sissit, por ejemplo. En última instancia un buen disco que sorprende más por su frescura y eficacia que por su capicidad de innovación.

From Hereditas: (by Jorge Flores / Emilio Hueso)

  Lo primero que habria que destacar de éste trabajo es su excelente presentación: formato digipack con un increible libreto diseñado en formato mini-poster con una clara inspiración europeista (los lemas "Pro Deo! Pro Rege! Pro Patria!" retumban inmediatamente el corazón nada más aparecer ante nuestros ojos). Y después de esto me gustaria comentar una cosa: es increible que paises cómo Hungria, con una situación económica nada boyante y, por lo tanto, con un gran impedimento para prodigarse en actividades ociosas, pueda tener un escena más pujante y creativa que la española (en éste mismo número también hemos reseñado a The Moon and the Nightspirit, un excepcional grupo neofolk) dentro del mundillo "dark folk-industrial". De verdad, da bastante que pensar sobre la creatividad artistica de los músicos españoles. En lo que a éste grupo se refiere, pues su propuesta está anclada en la música ambient industrial, con una clara orientación esotérica y europiesta que en cierta medida me recuerdan a Der Blutharsch. Cuanto menos, una propuesta interesante.

From Twilight Zone: (by Michele Viali)

  Aspettavo con ansia e trepidazione l’album di debutto di questo progetto ungherese che avevo avuto modo di apprezzare nel 7” split realizzato con Wappenbund e licenziato proprio dall’etichetta ungherese Mozgalom, dietro cui si nasconde Kriegsfall U.Innanzi tutto è doveroso spendere due parole per l’artwork notevole: un digipak con un inserto apribile formato A3 su cui si staglia da un lato il bellissimo logo e un seducente quadro, mentre dall’altro lato troviamo i testi e le fotografie dei personaggi a cui è dedicato questo lavoro: Carlo IV, ultimo re d’Ungheria e Bela Hamvas, filosofo ungherese, messo a tacere nel dopoguerra, il cui pensiero era legato, tra gli altri, a quello di Evola. Il disco è incentrato su un forte misticismo e sul tentativo di recuperare un’atmosfera, una religiosità e dei valori che erano stati cancellati nell’Europa orientale della seconda metà del novecento. Il CD,piuttosto breve, -dura circa 38 minuti- è molto incisivo e convincente, sintomo che non servono per forza 70 minuti di musica per fare un buon lavoro. Si inizia con un brano introduttivo e programmatico che recita: “vitam et sanguinem pro Deo pro rege pro patria”. Belle percussioni marziali spesso arricchite da un rumorismo ritmico tipicamente industrial caratterizzano tutte le tracce, così come le voci che declamano discorsi a volte con incedere netto e sontuoso, a volte riverberate e filtrate su tonalità dimesse; ed è proprio nel brano The great man I the stance che viene usato un testo di Hamvas commentato da un bel motivo di organo. Temi tradizionali vengono utilizzati in più momenti ed accostati a cupi suoni di tastiera rotti da percussioni devastanti e inaspettate come in Standing by the truth e The ancient lords o sfumati in un intreccio riflessivo di voci e cori come in Those Who Are Still Waiting. Da menzionare anche Porta heroum, brano che difficilmente si dimentica con il suo incedere fiero e imperioso, martellante e insistente. Pur rientrando di diritto nel novero dei progetti industrial marziali di matrice europea e europeistica (nel senso death-in-juniano del termine) Kriegsfall U. rimane difficilmente avvicinabile a qualche nome in particolare, splendendo di luce propria e non riflessa. Forse, a titolo meramente indicativo, per struttura dei brani, idee e provenienza questo nuova realtà ungherese ricorda un po’ i gloriosi Autopsia con cui –guarda caso- è stato realizzato di recente uno split che è già sulla mia lista della spesa!

From Black Magazine: (by MF)

 Nach Actus, Scivias, Cawatana und Our God Weeps präsentiert sich eine weitere Folk/Industrial-Formation aus Ungarn einem breiteren Publikum und deren erste CD is mit knapp 39 minuten gesamtspielzeit zwar recht kurz ausgefallen, aber überzeugt mich wesentlich mehr, als so manches Material der Eingangs erwähnten Bands. Man könnte den Sound ihres Debüts auch als royalistichen Martial Industrial bezeichnen, da Grundtenor der CD deutlich geräuschhafter, härter und elektronischer ist, als die heroischen (aber manchmal doch etwas lahmen) Visionen ihrer schon genannten Landsleute. Gewidmet ist das Werk übrigens King Charles IV un Bela Hamvas, der ja auch also ungarischer Philosoph des Weines bekannt ist und wohl einer der verfemtesten Schriftsteller seines Landes war. Da ich Ungarn an sich sehr mag und auch die Sprache als angenehm empfinde, habe ich mit Kriegsfall-U keine Probleme und wer Von Thronstahl oder Der Blutharsch nicht abgeneigt ist, jedoch nach ein wenig exotische Abwechslung sucht, ist mit dieser CD im edien Digipack mit Poster-Booklet gut beraten.

From Blow Up: (by Paolo Bertoni)

 Squilli di tromba e tembili, spossanti cacofonie aprono Our Last Golden Bough Has Been Betrayed, chiusa dalla programmatica esortazione 'vitam et santuinem, pro Deo, pro Rege, pro Patria!', e l'eccellente esordio di Kriegsfall-U. Come è nella tradizione della scuola di area post-industrial ungherese si susseguono nell'album palpiti marziali, slanci epici, evocativi samples ed eroici afflati tra la severità dell'organo di The Great Man I - The Stance, il belligerante monito di Those Who Are Still Waiting, la marcia implacabile di Porta Heroum, le contaminazioni popolari incastonate in The Ancient Lords, la dirompente The Great Man II - Realisation. Forte la componente concettuale che si esprime attraverso estesi recitati nella propria lingua e che si concentra sulle personalità di Carlo IV, ultimo condottiero dell'impero austro-ungarico, e Bela Hamvas, scrittore e filosofo di ispirazione evoliana osteggiato pervicacemente nel suo paese sino alla sua morte nel '68, ed oltre, ed oggi assai apprezzato in Ungheria.

From Compulsion: (by Tony Dickie)

  The debut CD from this mysterious Hungarian project opens to stormy sounds and thunder claps. Oration is delivered in their native tongue, as crowds roar and drums beat out a martial rhythm. This pretty much sets the scene for the remainder of this CD, which is largely martial ambient and post-industrial where pounding drums and looped melodies provide the backdrop to a series of speeches and intoned lyrics. Kriegsfall-U have derived their inspiration from historical figures from their own culture: Bela Hamvas and Blessed King Charles, being the central figures here. 'The Great Man I - The Stance' comprises martial drums and oration. An organ enters into the fore with a repeating melody that never obscures the spoken word, that remains commanding and effective. It is nostalgic and subdued, as it wrestles with existential questions relating to the essence of a 'great man' and an 'authentic life'. Texts from the Hungarian philosopher Bela Hamvas form the basis of this track, 'The Great Man I - The Stance', and the later reading of 'The Great Man II - Realisation'. 'Those Who Are Still Waiting' opens with archival orchestral arrangements that segue into spoken word over industrial atmospherics. In the background the distant sound of snare drumming can be heard alongside sacred choirs, before ending on Hungarian folk music. The pounding drums and bleak post-industrial distortion of 'Porta Heroum' is the most direct track here, a chest-beating call to arms. It's followed by 'The Ancient Lords' which utilises Hungarian folk music throughout punctuated by passages of spoken vocals, thunderous drums, and choirs.

  The entire project has arrived fully formed, fusing philosophy, art and politics - but the overriding martial atmospheres are so generic they don't sound disimilar too Der Blutharsch, early Laibach and countless contemporary groups currently producing martial-industrial. A lot of research has been put into this project - the packaging is stunning - but I'm afraid that this one is for the hardened military neo-folker.

From Rock Hard: (by Paolo Sola)

  Un sostrato culturale ricercato ed intrigante anima la prima uscita della formazione magiara, artefice di un melange stilistico che, senza perdersi in barocchismi o trame eccessivamente articolate, riesce a penetrare l'animo dell'ascoltatore, forte di un impasto sonoro ammaliante e, al tempo stesso, travolgente. Sullo sfondo di cadenze marziali si stagliano fermenti industrial disturbanti e pachidermici, le cui trame incarnano la componente più abrasiva della ricerca sonora del gruppo. L'impatto di "Kriegsfall-U." viene spesso mitigato o amalgamato con divagazioni dal retrogusto ambient e interventi di synth, che colorano di sfumature plumbee e a tratti misteriose le 7 tracce di questo debutto. Tra ritmiche incalzanti e violente sferzate industriali, trovano ampio spazio linee vocali in lingua madre, queste recitate o scandite minacciosamente, volte a celebrare il re Carlo IV e lo scrittore e filosofo Béla Hamvas, personaggi a cui è dedicato l'album. L'attacco frontale dell'opener "Our Last Golden Bough Has Been Betrayed" viene smorzato nella successiva "The Great Man I.- The Stance", quest'ultima una lunga e corposa testimonianza sonora dove intimismo e marzialità vengono armonizzate in un crescendo pacato, prima di sfumare, in chiusura, nelle essenziali linee di sintetizzatore. Se in "Those Who Are Still Waiting" e "The Ancient Lords" temi e percussioni di altri tempi fanno da contraltare alla gelida interpretazione vocale e ai suoni rarefatti, "Porta Heroum", invece, spicca per la vena fortemente cerebrale. Dunque, l'opera prima dell'ensemble ungherese lascia trasparire un elevato potenziale artistico, sulle cui basi sarà possibile edificare un futuro roseo e denso di soddisfazioni. Da tener d'occhio…

From KMY: (by Jiituomas)

 Unkarilaisen Kriegsfall-U:n tyyli on lähinnä määriteltävissä neoklassiseksi, jossa on rohjettu käyttää myös hälyelementtejä. Se on hidasrytmistä ja yllättävänkin hillittyä, muistuttaen huomattavan paljon Sophian varhaistuotantoa. Mukana on kuitenkin paljon omia palasia, ja ennen kaikkea kykyä käyttää niitä fiksusti. Yleisestä kliseestä poiketen Kriegsfall-U ei nimittäin ole lainkaan mahtailevaa, paitsi sanoitustensa osalta. Sointi on militantti, mutta sitä ei ole vedetty lainkaan överiksi. Sampleja on hyödynnetty vain taustamusiikin puolella, ja ne eivät todellakaan ole pääosassa.

  Tulos on hyvin hämmentävä: paljon tämäntyyppistä musiikkia kuulleelle levy kuulostaa hassulla tavalla "väärältä". Onneksi vaikutelma menee äkkiä ohi. Kyse on nimittäin viehättävän omaperäisestä albumista. Ehdottomasti vahvimmillaan se on Those Who Are Still Waiting -raidan kaltaisissa osissa: jäykkää puhetta, vaimeita marssitaustoja, hiukan kuoroa. Vokaalit, kuten koko levyllä muutenkin, ovat täysin unkariksi, mikä asettuu pakettiin erinomaisesti. Välillä jotakin ideaa on viety hiukan liiankin pitkäksi (varsinkin The Great Man I. - The Stance . on tästä hyvä esimerkki). Tuttuuden tunne iskee myös aina joskus, esim. Porta Heroum on selkeästi vanhan Der Blutharschin oloinen, mutta kieli auttaa näppärästi eron syntymisessä. Rehellisyyden nimissä on todettava, että tyylilajia vaivaava helmasynti, keinotekoiselta kuulostaminen, on myös Kriegsfall-U:lla vahvasti läsnä. Kekseliäät kappalerakenteet peittävät ongelman kuitenkin varsin nätisti. Erityisen kehun ansaitsee myös hienojen lopetusten järjestelmällinen muistaminen. Raidat pysyvät kauniisti itsenäisinä, mutta tunnelma säilyy rikkoutumattomana. Komeana, mutta ei liioittelevana. Poikkeaa massasta selvästi edukseen. Erittäin suositeltava neoklassisen ystäville.

From Phosphor: (by Paul Bijlsma)

  It's not so often one comes across an Hungarian industrial formation with a philosophical attitude. But Kriegsfall-U is such a band, merging the rhythmic parts of Les Joyaux de a Princesse with the harshness of Turbund Sturmwerk, adding some bombast and strange folk influences at times. The result ranges from calm, grinding rhythms with Hungarian spoken words on top of it to heavy pounding sequences and distorted vocals. Very intruiging indeed!

From Sol De Pedra: (by Luis Miranda)

  Com apenas 7 faixas um total de 38 minutos de músicas, os búlgaros Kriegsfall-U vêm por este meio provar novamente que quantidade não é sinónimo de qualidade. Lançado pela mã mágica da Cold Spring, este auto-intitulado primeiro registo da banda viaja por sons pós-industriais, elementos neo-clássicos e secções onde a voz faz as despesas da casa. Com uma dedicatória especial e Béla Hamvas (poeta e filósofo búlgaro), "Kriegsfall-U" é um álbum que, apesar de algumas falhas no trabalho de produção. Músicas como "The Great Man I" ou "Porta Heroum" dificilmente nos deixarão indiferentes. Comparados com bandas como Turbund Sturmwerk, Wappenbund e Les Joyaux De La Princesse, Kriegsfall-U destacamse quer pelo conceito quer pelo seu estilo muito próprio sendo multo mais do que "apenas" mais uma banda industrial, prometendo cupar o leitor de CD's de qualquer um, pelo menos durante algum tempo.

From Neo-Form: (by Anna D. / Nauthiz)

  Diese aus Ungarn stammenden Neulinge in der avantgardistischen Musikerszene mögen dem Großteil der Leser nicht mehr ganz unbekannt sein, so spielten sie jüngst auf dem letzten Cold Spring Festival zusammen mit H.E.R.R. und Von Thronstahl und hatten sowohl mit Wappenbund eine 7“-Split veröffentlicht als auch eine 10“-Split mit den nicht minder bekannten Autopsia, jedoch noch unter dem ungarischen Label MozgaloM Records.

  Fakt ist, dass hier nichts völlig Neuartiges produziert wird. Vergleichbar mit Bands wie Turbund Sturmwerk, Wappenbund oder Sophia wird der Hörer hier mit teilweise härteren, krachigen Passagen beschallt, welche sich aber zum Großteil mit eher ruhigen ambienten und martialischen Klangpassagen abwechseln; letztere ziehen sich generell gesehen über das gesamte Album, halten sich jedoch in der Waagschale mit den (ersehnten) treibenden Passagen. Dennoch ist diese Scheibe nicht zu sehr „militärisch“ belastet, will heißen, die kriegerischen Samples und Klangpassagen, wie sie z. B. bei Toroidh verwendet werden, stehen hier weit im Hintergrund oder kommen gar nicht zu Tage.

  Während das Debut mit einem bombastischen und dezent lärmenden Stück aufwartet, geht das nächste Lied in das zuvor angesprochene MilitaryAmbient über. Verhallende Sprachsamples, getragene Trommeln, in der Ferne ein verhallendes Sonargeräusch, dazu eine Melodie, wie sie von Wappenbund stammen könnte. Als Gesamtes gesehen gefällt das Lied, stellt jedoch, wie bereits festgestellt, nichts wirklich Neues dar. Zudem fehlt das gewisse Treibende, was dazu führt, dass dem Lied auf Dauer und bei einer Spieldauer von über neun Minuten eine gewisse Trägheit verliehen wird.

  Lied no. 3 mit dem Titel „Those Who Are Still Waiting“ eröffnet mit einer alten im Hintergrund gehaltenen Marschmusik, geht jedoch sofort dazu über, getragen und ruhig dahin zu fließen, nicht jedoch ohne eine leicht bedrohliche Atmosphäre aufzubauen, die zu überzeugen weiß. Das erste Mal hört man auch die ungarischen Lyrics heraus, die zudem im ansprechend gestalteten Booklet nochmals aufgeführt und sogar ins Englische übersetzt worden sind. Erster Anspieltipp!

  Auch im nächsten Lied wird diese Atmosphäre beibehalten, dieses Mal werden jedoch treibende Rhythmen als Grundlage gesetzt, und ein Industrialsong, eher ruhig und düster gehalten, eröffnet sich hier. „Porta Heroum“ weiß zu gefallen und bekäme live gespielt gewiss noch mehr Theatralik, Dynamik und Eindruck verliehen. „The Ancient Lords“ mutet beinahe komisch an, hervorgerufen durch die eher schräg klingende alte Melodie, die sich durch das ganze Lied zieht und durchbrochen wird durch ungarische Lyrics und industrielle Passagen. Melodien werden hier nicht zu kurz gehalten und auf erstaunlich homogene Weise zusammengefügt, wie z. B. der Schluss des Liedes beweist.

  Das sechste Lied steht auf Grund des Titels „The Great Man II. – Realisation.“ mit dem zweiten Lied „The Great Man I. – The Stance.“ in Verbindung. Wie im Booklet nachzulesen ist, sind diese Lieder v. a. Béla Hamvas gewidmet, da für die Lyrics Auszüge aus seiner „Unicornis“ verwendet wurden. Hamvas war einer der größten Schriftsteller, Sozialkritiker und Philosophen Ungarns. Jenes vorletzte Lied fällt in die gleiche Liga wie „The Great Man“ – es besticht durch treibende Rhythmen, es fehlt jedoch eine gewisse Eigenständigkeit oder eine Art Wiedererkennungswert. Lied no. 7, das den Ausklang dieser Scheibe darstellt, vermag jene ein wenig abzurunden, klingt aber durch die seltsame Melodie ein wenig bizarr und verhallt mit einer durchgehend sehr ambienten Grundhaltung in weiter Ferne.

   40 Minuten Musik und was bleibt? Die Scheibe verleitet nicht unbedingt dazu, möglicherweise in brennender Liebe zu diesem Album ausgebrochen auf „repeat“ zu drücken. Dennoch wissen die patriotischen Kriegsfall-U. durch einige Stücke, durch gewisse sich aufbauende Atmosphären und Rhythmen zu überzeugen, erschaffen in dieser Schublade des Industrials jedoch nichts wirklich Neues. Vielleicht mag sich das in einem weiteren Album zum Positiven verändern. In diesem Sinne: Pro Deo! Pro Rege! Pro Patria!

From Fiend Magazine: (by Richard Stevenson)

  Full of esoteric inspiration, Kriegsfall U is a solid new addition to the postindustrial scene, drawing from the linage of seminal acts such as Les Joyaux De La Princesse and Dusk and Dawn Entwined. Via heavy pounding industrial distortion, militaristic drumming, orchestral horn/ string arrangements and vitriolic speech samples, the evoked atmosphere is rousing and steeped in strident rhetoric. Each of the seven track are generally built around a central key percussive pattern and melody line that are built up and layered over its duration, with speech samples or spoken lyrics added for completeness. The sound production is likewise perfect for this style of music being both clean yet containing an adequately spacious and echoed sound palate to convey a forlorn and nostalgic atmosphere. Not for the music to stand and be judged in its own, the digi-pack sleeve with tenpage fold out colour poster is likewise a perfect exercise in the presentation of sacral/ political/ philosophical text and imagery as to spark intrigue as to the deeper inspiration imbedded within the project. At only 38 minutes in length this is an album slightly on the short side, yet nevertheless is a powerfully introductory declaration that is worthy of investigation.

From Beast Of Prey: (by Tomasz Lewicki)

  Na wegierskiej ziemi powstal nowy militarny projekt o nazwie KRIEGSFALL-U. Do tej pory nie bylo za bardzo slychac o wielu "pancernych" projektach z tego kraju, tym bardziej zatem cieszy, ze u naszych bratanków równiez zaczelo sie cos dziac, jesli chodzi o scene militarna. Wytwórnia reklamuje ten krazek "sacral post-industrial" w stylu TURBUND STURMWERK, WAPPENBUND, LES JOYAUX DE LA PRINCESSE, SOPHIA, czy nawet wczesnego DER BLUTHARSCH (ja bym jeszcze dorzucil KARJALAN SISSIT) i na dobra sprawe móglbym w tym momencie zakonczyc te recenzje, gdyz kazdy zainteresowany doskonale wie, co prezentuja wymienione wyzej projekty. Pare slów wiecej nalezy jednak wspomniec o tym krazku. Przyznam, ze slucha mi sie go calkiem dobrze, muzyka jest pelna ekspresji i specyficznego dla tego typu grania klimatu, który z kazda sekunda nabiera wiekszej mocy. Pelno na "Kriegsfall-U" grzmiacych, militarnych kotów i werbli, które dopelniane sa poprzez wyglaszane w jezyku wegierskim wojenne komunikaty. Momentami do naszych uszu dochodza sample z piesniami patriotycznymi, co wprowadza w jeszcze wiekszy nastrój. Na dobra sprawe wszystkie te elementy sa doskonale znane z innych krazków spod znaku militarnego  industriualu i trudno o jakies zaskoczenie, ale mimo wszystko "Kriegsfall-U" jest albumem, który z pewnoscia trafi do wszystkich tych, którzy lubia zasluchiwac sie w wojenne hymny. Jes´li do tego dodam, iz plytka zostala wydana w bardzo milym dla oka digipacku z dolaczonym plakatem formatu A-3, to tym bardziej powinno to zachecic do zakupienia tego krazka.

From Musik Terrorverlag: (by TK)

  Bei manchen Veröffentlichungen kann man über die Hintergründe des Werks wesentlich mehr Fakten zusammentragen als über die Musik selbst. KRIEGFALL-U. stammen aus Ungarn, hatten bislang eine Split mit WAPPENBUND vorzuweisen und veröffentlichen nun via Cold Spring ihr sehr schön verpacktes Debüt. Die oder der Künstler bleiben vorerst anonym, so dass man auf biographische Infos an dieser Stelle verzichten muss. Widmen wir uns vielmehr einigen historischen Begriffen und Personen, die für das Verständnis des Silberlings unblässlich sind.

  Der Name:
Kriegsfall – U(ngarn) bezeichnet einen dubiosen Plan des Habsburger Kaisers Franz Ferdinand, der die Magyaren komplett von der Landkarte tilgen wollte, um seine eigene Machtposition zu stärken. Dazu kam es bekanntlich nicht, da seine Ermordung den ersten Weltkrieg auslöste.

  Die Widmungen:
Béla Hamvas. Geboren 1897, aufgewachsen im heutigen Bratislava. Meldet sich 1915 freiwillig zum Militär, kehrt aber nach zweimaliger Verwundung mit einem Nervenzusammenbruch nach Hause zurück. Arbeit in Budapest als Journalist und Bibliothekar. 1942 wiederum zum Militär berufen, entzieht er sich, da die ungarische Armee mit der SS zusammenarbeitet. Sein Haus wird während der Belagerung Budapests zerstört, viele Werke fallen diesem Vorfall zum Opfer. Nach dem Krieg Wiederaufnahme der publizistischen Tätigkeit, wird aber von den Kommunisten auf die verbotene Liste gesetzt und zieht sich darauf bis zu seinem Tod 1968 in die Provinz zurück. Gilt als einer der wichtigsten ungarischen Autoren der Neuzeit, fernab jeglicher Ideologie.

  Kaiser Karl I. von Österreich = König Karl IV. von Ungarn. Geboren 1887, profitiert er von der bereits skizzierten Ermordung seines Onkels Franz Ferdinand. Von 1916 bis 1918 König von Ungarn versucht er sich einerseits an sozialstaatlichen Reformen, andererseits bemüht er sich mehrfach um Friedensverhandlungen mit der Entente, die aber letztlich erfolglos bleiben. Formal dankt er nie ab und unternimmt im Gegenteil 2 Putschversuche im Jahre 1921, um die Macht in Ungarn wiederzuerlangen. Daraufhin erfolgt seine Verbannung nach Madeira, wo er bereits ein Jahr später, also 1922 einer Lungenentzündung erliegt. Kurios 1: „2004 erfolgte die Seligsprechung, nachdem das dazu notwendige Wunder geprüft wurde: Eine aus Polen stammende, in Brasilien tätige Nonne habe in den siebziger Jahren für die Seligsprechung Karls gebetet, woraufhin sie auf medizinisch nicht nachvollziehbare Weise von ihren Krampfadern geheilt worden sei.“ Kurios 2: „Seine Witwe lebte noch weitere 67 Jahre, erst in Spanien, dann in Belgien und in Kanada, ab 1962 in der Schweiz; 1982 konnte sie zum ersten Mal besuchsweise nach Österreich einreisen. Sie trug nie eine andere Farbe als SCHWARZ und verzichtete nie auf den Thronanspruch.“ (Zitate Heiligenlexikon)

  Viel Stoff für eine 38 minütige CD und Mutmaßungen über die Wechselbeziehungen zwischen den historischen Personen, der Musik und den dahinterstehenden Personen. Auf jeden Fall tritt eine starke patriotische Note für ein freies und stolzes Ungarn zutage, fernab von Kommunismus aber auch Nationalsozialismus. Vielmehr wird durch den im Booklet abgedruckten Spruch „Für Gott, Krieg und Vaterland“ eine starke religiöse Note sichtbar. Die 7 Stücke selbst verbinden Ambient, Military und Industrial auf eine interessante aber keineswegs neue Art und Weise. Gesprochene Ungarische Texte, welche dankenswerter Weise in einer Übersetzung beigelegt wurden, ergänzen sich mit Ambient Parts, militärischem Gestus und entsprechenden Samples zu einem heroisch wirkenden Gesamtprodukt. Dabei werden die Titel im Verlauf der Scheibe zunehmend härter, lauter und percussiver, während zu Beginn die Töne wie durch Nebelschwaden gedämpft klingen, streifen sie gegen Ende gar den martialischen Industrial.
  
   Als Vergleich könnte man den frühen BLUTHARSCH aber eben auch WAPPENBUND heranziehen, und was die Qualität dieser Veröffentlichung angeht, so denke ich, dass die Wertung hier sehr subjektiv ausfallen muss, da jeder seine eigenen Bilder zum Soundangebot von KRIEGSFALL-U. entwickeln wird. Für Fans oben genannter Gruppen also sicher ein gefundenes Fressen, ohne neue Maßstäbe zu setzen.

From Necroweb: (by Deathbringer)

  Mit "Kriegsfall U." liegt uns das Debütalbum des gleichnamigen ungarischen Projekts vor. Auch wenn der Opener, mit verzerrten Drums, Samples und einer sich monoton wiederholenden Frequenzfolge, noch sehr stark nach Martial Industrial klingt, ist das Album eher als Dark Ambient mit Martial Industrial Einfluss zu bezeichnen. Weite Teile von "Kriegsfall U." sind eher ruhigerer und düsterer Natur, in die sich militärische Melodien einschleichen. Dumpfe Drums, dezent verhallende Chöre und manchmal sogar leise Orgelmelodien bestimmen das Bild dieser Passagen, und erzeugen zusammen mit den verhalten eingesetzten tiefen Drones eine bedrückend melancholische Stimmung. Hin und wieder wird diese Stimmung durch martialische Trommeln bedrohlicher und aktiver gestaltet (z.B. "Porta Heroum."), und bildet so sicher einen der Eckpfeiler dieses Albums, den Abwechslungsreichtum. So sollte man auch nicht verwundert sein, wenn man sich gerade von einem Dark Ambient Part davontragen läßt, und plötzlich dermaßen brachial und aggressiv von einem verzerrten Industrialbeat erwischt wird, daß es einem fast einen Herzkasperl versetzt. Das es auch apokalyptisch zugehen kann zeigen uns die Ungarn bei "The Great Man II. - Realisation.", das seine deutlichen Einflüsse von Sophia nicht zu verbergen versucht. Warum auch, man muß das Rad nicht immer neu erfinden um etwas wirklich gutes abzuliefern.

  Auch wenn, oder gerade weil die Vocals nur für die Wenigstens zu verstehen sein werden, überzeugen sie durch ihre ausgeprägten melodiösen Eigenschaften.

  Mit Kriegsfall U. macht sich eine Formation auf, um Dark Ambient und Martial Industrial zu vereinen. Daß dabei Vergleiche zu Sophia's "Herbstwerk" oder Karjalan Sissit's "Miserere" angestellt werden können sollte die Ungarn keinesfalls stören, denn verstecken braucht man sich nicht. Ein gelungenes Debüt haben sie schonmal, freuen wir uns auf mehr.

From Filthforge: (by Simon V)

  An elegant and austere digipack holds the menacing debut of a new Hungarian act, that has chosen the battle name Kriegsfall-U. The simple but significant artwork clearly shows strong patriotic and nationalistic feelings, in particular regarding the "pro deo! pro rege! pro patria!" slogan and the painting with the Madonna and child defended by two archangels who carry shields decorated with the original national symbols of Hungary. The whole CD is a celebration of two particular characters of recent Magyar history, Blessed King Charles IV and Béla Hamvas.

  The former was the last monarch of Hungary as well as the last Emperor of Austria, who lost his throne at the end of WWI as a consequence of the dissolution of the Habsburg Empire. He tried to regain power later in the 1920s', but failed his attempt and died of pneumonia in 1922. His supporters claim he was betrayed by the regent government. King Charles IV was declared saint by the Roman Catholic Church for his "heroic virtues". The latter was a writer, philosopher, and social critic, as well as the first thinker to introduce the Traditionalist School of René Guénon to Hungary.

  The music of Kriegsfall-U is a very gloomy and disturbing mixture of martial drumming, fanfares, war machinery samples and declaiming vocals in the language of Magyars. "The Great Man I - The Stance" and "The Great Man II - Realisation", for example, are quite simple tunes utilizing recited excerpts from Hamvas' "Unicornis" combined with monolithic and repetitive percussions, while "Those Who Are Still Waiting" is introduced by a distant military orchestral theme soon overwhelmed by cold voices and gloomy dark ambient soundscapes. Other less convincing composition, such as "Porta Heroum" or "The Ancient Lord", are built around raw obsessive drum patterns, low-fi fanfares and ritual vocals that remind some of Der Blutharsch's very early recordings.

  Kriegsfall-U's debut CD achieves on the whole a quite charming atmosphere, gloomy and frightening, and, having a total running time of 38 minutes only, it is quite enjoyable to listen to it from the beginning to the end. At the same time, however, it lacks a real high point or climax, ending up sounding rather cold and austere, as well as too raw and simple if compared to the most recent developments in the orchestral/military industrial field, such as Kreuzweg Ost or H.E.R.R., just released by Cold Spring itself.

  Being clear their urge to express their innermost energies, Kriegsfall-U just need to find a more refined and effective way to turn their thoughts and feelings into sound. Since they posses an outstanding concept supported by a deep cultural and philosophical background, we can expect their name to find soon its way amongst the great ones.

From Monas: (by Roy)

  Cold Spring is always on the hunt for new talents and frequently this hunt is succesfull. I didn’t know Kriegsfall-U, even though they seem to have released a split 7” with Wappenbund. This debut CD is announced thus: “Musically, you may compare Kriegsfall-U with Turbund Sturmwerk, Wappenbund, Les Joyaux De La Princesse, Sophia, early Der Blutharsch... “. Well, I don’t agree, fortunately not! Not a new bombastic industrial clone, but nice and martial ambient and industrial more reminding of Sturmovik or Karceral Flesh than the bands in the Cold Spring ad. From nice and dark to pretty heavy industrial with here and there a noisy touch. Better than I expected and different than announced.

From Orkus: (by Thomas Sonder)

  Ein beeindruckendes Debut ist es wahrlich, das die ungarischen Kriegsfall-U. einfach so aus dem Ärmel schütteln. Astreiner Industrial, ein Wühlwarr der Monstrosität – gefangen im Bombast oder verstrickt in sakralen Welten, gegebenenfalls – Ansichtssache – mit Noise-Bombast überrannt, aber geschickt inszeniert. Kriegsfall-U. ist deswegen so überragend zu genießen, weil es an keine Grenzen stößt, nirgends auch nur ansatzweise überkonstruiert anmutet, sondern mit unauffordernden, niemals zwängenden Mitteln ein wunderfältiges Lauscherlebnis darstellt, dessen sieben Kompositionen der dunkelambienten Sphärik und verwobenen Düsterharmonien ausreichend Platz einräumen, jedoch auch mit rhythmischen, wachsweichen Tief-Hall-Rausch-Ereignissen und Schockmomenten dem Ganzen die nötige Substanz verleihen. Grandios zusammengesetzt findet man hier eine CD vor, die tatsächlich kein bisschen altbacken wirkt und nicht allein dank der ungarischen Lyrics (in englischer Übersetzung vorzufinden) sehr ungewöhnlich, aber dennoch vertraut genug klingt, um selbst in verwöhnten Industrial-Herzen Wohlgefallen auszulösen. Die Scheibe kommt im schicken Digi mit 20-seitigem Booklet, das gleichzeitig passend designtes Poster ist – ein fast perfektes Release, das lediglich hinsichtlich seiner Spieldauer

From Obliveon: (by MK)

  Kriegsfalls erstes Album und sicherlich kein schlechtes, denn die Ungarn orientieren sich mit ihren zum Teil martialisch anmutenden Klangcollagen und den oft bis zur Unkenntlichkeit verzerrten Rhythmen und Samples an „artverwandten“ Projekten wie beispielsweise Der Blutharsch oder Dernière Volonté, ohne jedoch ganz deren Brillianz zu erreichen. Kriegsfall beinhalten zudem eine sehr stark episch und heroisch geprägte Komponente, die auf „U.“ immer wieder zum Tragen kommt und nicht selten durch sakrale und bombastische Chöre angereichert wird. Augenfällig auch, dass die Ungarn durch immer wiederkehrende Dynamikwechsel innerhalb der Stücke dazu beitragen, dass „U.“ keinesfalls monoton oder eindimensional wirkt. Was den Ungarn noch zum ganz grossen Wurf fehlt, auch und gerade in diesem Genre, ist ein Gespür für etwas eingängigere Strukturen, wie zum beispielsweise bei „Porta Heroum“, aber für ein Erstlingswerk ist dieses Album ein gelungener Einstand.

From Heathen Harvest: (by Malakhi Thorn)

  One thing that can be said about Kriegsfall-U is that their musical vision emerges from a deep engrossment in the history of Hungary and central Europe. Comparable to the ideological and philosophical underpinnings of bands such as H.E.R.R. Kriegsfall-U is driven by a desire to immortalize and remember iconic historical figures and nearly forgotten chapters in Europe’s history. Mere remembrance of these heroic and shining eras is not the extent of Kriegsfall vision. Buried deep in the lyricism and music the listener can feel the welling desire for recapturing that burning light of faith and heroic spirit that faded with the passing of these exalted icons.

  Not much is known about Kriegsfall-U beyond the bands nationality and their exoneration of key European historical and philosophical figures. Having contributed to a limited edition 7” split vinyl with the infamous band Wappenbud which was published on Mazgolam Records of Hungary the Kriegsfall-U has now released their debut full length album through Cold Spring Records of the UK. One thing that can be said about Kriegsfall-U is that their musical vision emerges from a deep engrossment in the history of Hungary and central Europe. Comparable to the ideological and philosophical underpinnings of bands such as H.E.R.R. Kriegsfall-U is driven by a desire to immortalize and remember iconic historical figures and nearly forgotten chapters in Europe’s history. Mere remembrance of these heroic and shining eras is not the extent of Kriegsfall vision. Buried deep in the lyricism and music the listener can feel the welling desire for recapturing that burning light of faith and heroic spirit that faded with the passing of these exalted icons.

  The Kriegsfall-U CD comes packaged with a fold out poster that doubles as a lyrics book and band statement. Included within the printed notes is an extensive commemoration and acknowledgment of King Charles IV and Hungarian essayist and philosopher Bela Hamvas. King Charles IV was declared King and sovereign ruler of Bohemia and the Czech lands following his father Wenceslas III demise at the battle of Crecy in 1346 while fighting the Black Prince alongside the French. Charles the IV who was raised in the courts of France traveled to Bohemia to assume his throne upon his fathers death. By all measures Charles IV was a highly educated man and after some struggle he firmly grasped hold of his title and the rule of Bohemia. The medieval Czech kingdom rose to its greatest heights under his rule and to this day he is remembered as the “Father of the Country.” Bela Hamvas 1897-1968 is a widely acknowledged essayist and philosopher who delved deeply into the esoteric matters of his time. Using comparative studies, he created a philosophical view that united classical western thought with eastern influences that ranged from Buddhism to Hinduism. His essays and poetry are still recognized and honored across Hungary today.

  Kriegsfall-U has created a musical homage that reaches deep into the past of central Europe and culls forth the fading embers of a more heroic time. Upon these softly fading embers, Kriegsfall-U has blown hard in an attempt to rekindle the lost flame and bring back the memory of a time when sovereign rulers led their people with the sword and a strong spirit. Kriegsfall-U strives to recall an era when philosophers pondered deep questions and sought resolution to man’s existential dilemmas.

  Kriegsfall-U begins with the introductory song “ Our Last Golden Bough Has Been Betrayed.” “ Our Last Golden Bough Has Been Betrayed” begins with the sound of a storm breaking. The sound of rain pouring from the sky and the slow rumbling of thunder gently washes over the listener. Male spoken word vocals recite a short phrase in Hungarian over the music before the blaring of trumpets heralds the roar of a crowd followed b crushing industrial rhythms accompanied and martial drumming. The sound of the rain fades away as the drums, trumpets and devastating industrial rhythms cycle repeatedly through the music. The rhythmic cycle lasts several seconds then reaches a point of calm retreat before recycling once again. The recurring trumpet maintains a steady and linear march. Male spoken word is repeated throughout the song in simple concise phrases lending the speech to impressions of political slogans from a bygone age. The lyrics are conveniently translated into English in the CD foldout booklet though they remain obscure references to spiritual ideals that do not directly lend themselves to interpretation but rather remain encapsulated as prose.
  
  Track two-titled “The Great Man I - The Stance” is the central composition on Kriegsfall-U clocking in at over eight minutes. Utilizing excerpts of Bela Hamvas’s “Unicornis” Kriegsfall-U create a simple song based around cyclic drumming, and industrial loops. Machine like sounds are looped and infected with minimal electronic accents and acoustic drumming creating a lengthy and monotonous track. Part way through the song an organ joins the music while also playing a simple looped melody. The simplicity of the music allows the listener to focus upon the equally lengthy dissertation that emerges as a long spoken word piece imbedded in the song. The lyrics discuss the merits and actualization of the “Great Man” which can easily be understood in terms of Frederick Nietzsche’s “superman.” The lyrics debate and explore the qualities of the “Great Man” and settle upon the realization that the great man is the common person who in his life realizes a “Great Life.” Such philosophical ponderings echo an era come and gone.

  Track five titled “ The Ancient Lords” expands the music of Kriegsfall-U slightly with the addition of some nicely placed samples. “The Ancient Lords” begins with sampled vintage orchestral recordings that play in a lively loop. The music communicates moments of valor and is reminiscent of music you might encounter in an old war film that shows tattered and run down soldiers mustering the force for one last strike against their enemy. The music sample communicates a sense of resignation as well as a commitment to not accepting defeat. Kriegsfall-U unleashes heavy industrial drumming across the vintage recordings and plays a female heavenly voice singing across the opposing sounds. In the background, the familiar male spoken word lyrics are recited at intervals. This is in my opinion one of the most successful songs on the album as Kriegsfall-U mixes up the samples near the end and infiltrates the song with more diverse musical elements than encountered on previous songs without losing the stern solemnity that defines their musical vision. It would be encouraging to see the band further explore the range and diversity of their music output.

  Kriegsfall-U has contributed a powerful and individual release to the industrial and martial orchestral music arena. One of the best qualities of Kriegsfall-U is there adjuration to their cultural and national identities. As more bands join the ranks of the martial industrial music scene, it is becoming harder for bands to create a niche that has not been exhaustively explored. Firmly establishing their music in the history and luminaries of Hungary has allowed Kriegsfall-U to produce an original album that evolves out of fertile and previously untapped sources of inspiration. Kriegsfall-U has also excelled at presenting a unified and cohesive musical vision that is reflected in the music, lyrics, packaging and presentation of the CD. With such a strong artistic statement, Kriegsfall-U is sure to garnish respect and admiration amidst martial industrial music listeners both in Europe and abroad.

From Fiend Magazine: (by Richard Stevenson)

  Full of esoteric inspiration, Kriegsfall U are a solid new addition to the post-industrial scene, drawing from the linage of seminal acts such as Les Joyaux De La Princesse and Dusk and Dawn Entwined.

  Via heavy pounding industrial distortion, militaristic drumming, orchestral horn/ string arrangements & vitriolic speech samples, the evoked atmosphere is rousing and steeped in strident rhetoric. Each of the 7 track are generally built around a central key percussive pattern & melody line that are built up and layered over its duration, with speech samples or spoken lyrics added for completeness. The sound production is likewise perfect for this style of music being both clean yet containing an adequately spacious and echoed sound palate to convey a forlorn & nostalgic atmosphere.

  ot for the music to stand and be judged in its own, the digi-pack sleeve with 10 page fold out colour poster is likewise a perfect exercise in the presentation of sacral/ political/ philosophical text & imagery as to spark intrigue as to the deeper inspiration imbedded within the project.

  t only 38 minutes in length this is an album slightly on the short side, yet nevertheless is a powerfully introductory declaration that is worthy of investigation.

From Sonidobscuro: (by Z)

  'Fresh blood in the scene’ es la frase que utiliza el departamento de promoción de Cold Spring para finalizar la descripción de este disco de debut homónimo de Kriegsfall-U, banda húngara de esencias martial al estilo centroeuropeo, con todo lo que ello conlleva, connotaciones “políticas “ incluídas: el trabajo está dedicado al “bendito Carlos IV”, emperador del Sacro Imperio Romano y rey de Bohemia en el siglo XIV, y promulgador de la Bula de Oro, cuya máscara ocupa la portada, y al filósofo Bela Hamvas, cuyos textos se incluyen a modo de declamación en los dos principales temas del álbum, ‘The Great Man I-II’.

  En cuanto al aspecto musical el disco podría definirse como martial (especialmente ‘Our Last Golden...’ y ‘The Great Man II’, muy del estilo T.M.L.H.B.A.C. o los primeros Der Blutharsch), pero con ciertas particularidades que le convierten en la citada sangre fresca: la primera y más destacable es la espléndida producción. Todos los elementos utilizados, tanto los más rítmicos como los ambientales, están ensamblados con un nivel de perfección difícil de apreciar en muchos de los lanzamientos actuales. Las percusiones están siempre donde deben, los frecuentes samples de batallas y coros aparecen siempre muy equilibrados...en fin, que el trabajo de mezcla ha sido concienzudo y los resultados son brillantes.

  La segunda particularidad la constituyen las influencias de otros estilos, sobre todo ambientales, que van salpicando todos los temas: las oscurísimas ‘The Great Man I’ o ‘Those Who Are Still Waiting’, con atmósferas realmente tenebrosas, especialmente la segunda, que llega casi a ritual en los momentos más intensos, o el crescendo de la rítmica ‘Porta Heroum’, otro excelente tema. También aparecen elementos más folk, bien sea con samples de marchas clásicas como en ‘The Ancient Lords’ (con una percusión fantástica) o con melodías creadas para la ocasión, invocando el espíritu de los Blood Axis más grandilocuentes en momentos puntuales, incluído el final ‘Standing By The Truth’, que recuerda a los últimos lanzamientos de los americanos junto a Les Joyeux De la Princesse.

  Es precisamente esa mezcla de influencias el principal atractivo de este ‘Kriegsfall-U’: no estamos hablando de un disco de martial puro y duro, sino de un trabajo muy variado, y por tanto muy interesante también para seguidores de estilos más ambientales que no disfruten tanto con el estilo. La presentación es en digipack, con el libreto a modo de desplegable y los textos de los temas traducidos al inglés desde el húngaro utilizado en la grabación.

  Un debut realmente prometedor de una banda a incluir en la lista de los aficionados al género, a varios géneros en realidad. Esperemos que no se estanquen y sigan aportando esa sangre fresca para una escena que (desde mi punto de vista, claro) necesita una transfusión.

From Gothtronic: (by Teknoir)

  Little is known about the Hungarian band Kriegsfall U, nor is there much info on them on the net. A release shrouded in mystery, which perfectly suits their self titled release. Long winding synthscapes, military drums, lots of spoken word, battle trumpets and crude post-industrial violence seperated by beautiful violin or piano interludes. This record is never boring. In fact, it's very well constructed and even intruiging at times.

  I didn't understand a single bit of the the many spoken words on this album so luckily the album comes with a beautiful poster which contains english translations.

  Text and thematics on this record, even without a translation it's clear, deal with struggle, courage, patriotism, heroism, et cetera. This is immediately apparent when opening the aforementioned poster: “Pro Deo! Pro Rege! Pro Patria!” is the motto (For God, King and Country!). The album is dedicated to King Charles IV of Hungary (not a medieval king, sorry; but a king who's also known by the name of Emperor Francis Joseph I of Austria-Hungary). It's also dedicated to a very important Hungarian writer, philosopher and social critic: Béla Hamvas. Some of the spoken words on this album are by his hand.

  To conclude: a well proportioned album, intruiging thematics, great artwork. The prouction could've been a bit 'tighter', but on a whole this album is certainly worth checking out.

From GothicInfo: (by Paul Wiggers)

  Kriegsfall U is the debut album of the Hungarian band that goes by the same name. Besides that, there isn’t much information to be found about these guys.

  The music they make is a mixture of neofolk, neo classical and ambient. This combination of marching war drums, different soundscapes and gentle piano strings makes us remember the old Laibach and Der Blutharsh. And to be compared with those bands sure says something about the quality of this debut album. They have made their own little twist to the genre by adding some Hungarian folk to their music and, although it is quietly mixed in the background, it gives a welcome distraction from the mostly dark and threatening music.

  The album comes along with a beautiful A3 sized full color poster which contains all the English translations of the lyrics. And since my Hungarian isn’t what it used to be, this came in handy. The lyrics contain excerpts from Béla Hamvas’s Unicornis. Béla Hamvas was a philosopher during the Second World War, whom exposed some fundamental problems in the world and even came up with answers to some of them. Kriegsfall U is using Béla Hamvas as the fundament for their ideas.

  This album is a very good debut album. It shows the high potential that Kriegsfall U has and only promises good things for the future. The only minor setback that this album has is the number of songs on it: only seven tracks make up for a total of thirty eight minutes of bombastic music. Because of this you will get bored of hearing the same song over and over again pretty soon. But since this is the only setback, their debut album will be sure to please the fans of this kind of music and can be considered a must have.

From Ikonen: (by Martin Kreischer)

  Die Ungarn von Kriegsfall-U lassen sich nur schwer in die Karte schauen. Sprachliche Hürden machen ein thematisches Einordnen schwer, allerdings wirkt der militärische Unterton in der fremden Sprache umso homogener. Allerdings bleiben Kriegsfall-U etwas blass, das selbst betitelte Debüt kann nicht wirklich über die gesamte Länge überzeugen und krankt schnell an Beliebigkeit. Zu oft hat man ähnliches gehört, besonders aus der schwedischen Ecke in Form von Sophia oder Karjalan Sissit. Wuchtige und schwere Rhythmen, sakrale Gesänge, verhallte Samples und Distorsions - wenig Neues gibt es für den Kenner zu entdecken. So sind Kriegsfall-U ein Projekt für Liebhaber, die keine Formation des Genre auslassen wollen.

From Martial Industrial: (by Clint Listing)

  This most reminds me of a Mix of  Later MZ412 and Early Der Blutharsch were the Martial Element and Industrial Elements were mixed with heavy part of Noise . The Vocals are very unsettling and work well in the spoken and commanded way they are done. I feel a lot of Von Thronstahl worship going on in this release as well after a few tracks. I Think Kriegsfall-U has done a lot of research on gear and effect of there favorite Industrial, Neo-folk and Martial bands and worked the best 4 or 5 styles in to a sound that is familiar but still all there own. Lets talk about the packaging for a moment as well. Its worth the release just for that. Beautiful digipak with full color poster  inside the other side of the poster is all the songs translated in England for us not from Hungry. If there was down side to this release it would be the over use of the same organ sound as It works but you could place other sounds there to be just as effective. The Cold and Distant synth arrangements with the spoken word vocals in a foreign tongue. Are what is keeping me here. Reading along with the songs really sets the mood of this stellar release.

From Synthesis: (by Troy Southgate)

  STAMPED with a curious blend of monarchical fidelity and the deeply esoteric, this album is dedicated to the memory of both King Charles IV (1887-1922) and Béla Hamvas (1897-1968). The former, also known as Emperor Charles I of Austria between 1916-18, was the last ruler of the Austro-Hungarian Empire. Indeed, despite his committed attempts to save the Empire from disintegration, in 1919 King Charles was eventually forced to flee to Switzerland with his family and as recently as 2004 was beatified. Béla Hamvas, on the other hand, was a Hungarian writer and philosopher and perhaps best known for introducing the Traditionalist ideas of Rene Guenon into the country. His complex articles on Alchemy ('Tabula Smaragdina') and Hermeticism ('Introductions') continue to ensure that he remains one of Hungary's leading metaphysicians.

  Kriegsfall-U, incidentally, are one of Cold Spring's newest acts and the label has really pushed the boat out as far as the design is concerned. The album's double-sided, ten-panel insert is adorned with two defiant angels and a rather severe-looking Madonna with a sinner begging for forgiveness at her feet. The cover shows a golden bust of King Charles, whilst the CD itself has four burgundy quarters around an imposing silver cross. Track I, 'Our Last Golden Bough Has Been Betrayed', opens with the sound of heavy thunder and falling rain, an antithesis, perhaps, to the famous term used by Sir James Frazier to reflect the splendour of the sun in his book of the same name. Alongside the loud cheers, brutal drums and Hungarian invocations, a measured horn keeps time amid the rumbles and uncompromising background. It's an omen of disaster, a portent of doom. All is not well in the state of the Magyars. Presumably Track II, 'The Great Man I - The Stance', can provide the answer to this impending chaos. The unusual beginning is rather unnerving, with disjointed echoes of speech leading to a series of submarine beeps and then the addition of a deeper voice grafted on to a nice variation of combined drumbeats. It's quite addictive and appealing, providing the song with a vintage quality that belies its age. In the background, meanwhile, the use of the keyboard reminds me a little of the shrill organ sound much-loved by their compatriots, Actus, although Kriegsfall-U clearly possess a unique and individual style of their own.

  Track III, 'Those Who Are Still Waiting', begins with a decidedly martial atmosphere of distant brass bands and then moves onwards through defiant vocals, hollow choirs and littered explosions. There is a lot of diversity here, too, with the group demonstrating its ability to create a rise-and-fall effect as the song both enters and exits various phases between temporary minimalism and regenerated activity. Each gradual softening is followed by a sudden burst of action, itself followed by a macabre chanting, like skeletal ghosts of war among the ruins of a shattered land. Track IV, 'Porta Heroum', is a reference to the Gate of Heroes which stands in the Hungarian university town of Szeged, once mystical home to the Árpád kings that preceded the rule of the Ottomans. The track's distorted and disjointed beginnings are vaguely rhythmic, like the shunting of the trains which now roar through the town itself. Shouts and chants fill the background, accompanied by heavy timpani and a sustained rush of ambient noise. The echo effects are increased as two sets of vocals compete at different volume levels, before the hostile atmosphere is tempered towards the five-minute mark and soon evolves into pure ambience.

  Track V, 'The Ancient Lords', is more upbeat. Hungarian folk music, which probably influenced the development of klezmer to some extent, is played in an erratic manner and slowed down radically so that the horns are made to sound almost comical and out of tune. This is joined by delightful snatches of a choir and crunching drumbeats that rip your ears off. The pace of the folk music increases and is then killed off just before the close. Track VI, 'The Great Man II - Realisation', is the second part of the group‚s tribute to two of their heroes. This one is hypnotic and encapsulating, drifting along on a tide of sound until the crashing drums are phased in once again to shake you out of your dazed slumber like the young victim of an induced cot-death. This track would sound brilliant live, of that I'm certain. High symphonic frequencies add a touch of harshness, fused with something that resembles a football mob attempting to sing the 'Te Deum' after ten pints of lager. The title of Track VII, 'Standing By The Truth', reflects the band's traditionalist stance. Sampled chuckles and pianistic frolicking give way to a childlike chorus and continual hum, before a brief, characteristic burst of percussion hits you between the eyes like a thunderbolt. This is quite an ordinary track compared to some of the others, and perhaps a weaker ending than I expected, but as a whole this is a great debut album from a band that shows excellent promise. No wonder, therefore, they have been chosen to perform at Cold Spring's 15th Anniversary Party. Pro Deo! Pro Rege! Pro Patria!

From Funprox: (by VW)

  At this point little is known of Kriegsfall-U in terms of biography. What is known is that the self-titled Kriegsfall-U is the Hungarian band’s debut release on Cold Spring (licensed from Mozgalom Records). Previously the act participated in a limited split 7" with Wappenbund, released by Mozgalom. Furthermore Kriegsfall-U will appear on the forthcoming compilation Swarm, also on Cold Spring.

  Kriegsfall-U’s debut effort is not a lengthy one at only seven tracks and thirty-eight minutes. But in this case, less may be more. Described on the Cold Spring website as an album with “heroic, esoteric, and philosophical influences,” Kriegsfall-U does not disappoint. Fitting well the label of post-industrial, the album shows these signs along with neo-classical elements, spoken word sections and martial drums. Other songs show signs of rhythmic industrial, as with “Porta heroum.” While I thought improvements might be made in places with mixing and production, I was very impressed by the strength of these songs. Thematically, the album might be said to rest primarily on the songs/pieces: “The Great Man I. – The Stance” and “The Great Man II. – Realisation.” The liner notes give a dedication to Béla Hamvas, the brilliant Hungarian author/philosopher, who is credited here and honored for his inspiration.

  Additionally, the album comes in an attractive digipack (minus the front cover picture, which looks cropped and misplaced in my opinion - my only complaint!) with a colorful foldout poster. An impressive album from Kriegsfall-U in thought, character and style!

From Magna Magazine (Hungary) (by Dark Water Invoker)

  In the closing part of C. S. Lewis's great SF trilogy, That Hideous Strength, a handful of "warriors" are trying to find and save England‚s metaphysical center, Lordes, while the empire of the Earth's dark master, the bad Oyarsa - the ill and worldwide alliance of positivist, myopic scientists and bloodsucking businessmen - is spreading.

  Since the novel bears Lewis's exquisitely Christian philosophy, it is easy to identify who Maleldil -creator of the universe - is and what the dualistic battle means.

   Still, the most striking part of Lewis's apocalyptic vision is the portrayal of the mediocre man who hears the call but continuously fails and falls, since he struggles in the bondage of false promises (a career, wealth, the exceptional truths of scientific knowledge).

  The human figure, squirming in the garbage-dump of barcodes, as depicted in the poster that comes with Hermon (a Mozgalom limited edition compilation CD), is also like that. He is like most of us. He is all of us.

  The CD of Kriegsfall-U now provides a tool - or a weapon - for those who strive to break the nooks of black tentacles, feelers, and ligulae. KU urges to fight the King of the Flies "with strife, kill, sword and blood," inviting to a never-ending battle: "Woe to those who bend! Those who bend, kneel upon their own graves."

  It appears that the group's work - fusing historical tragedies and Béla Hamvas‚s worldview - aims to find the section of the World Axis that goes through Hungary, something in effect similar to Lordes. Nevertheless, those who think to find reflections of Hungarian actual politics in Kriegsfall-U are wrong. The mystical vision of the the band subverts that interpretation, since politics is a game immanently impure, and Kriegsfall-U seeks "Purity and Truth," against "Decay and Impurity."

  We could accuse Kriegsfall-U of throwing around common sense terms, since "purity" and "truth" could be interpreted in many ways. The narrator's voice, however, declares in the last track, "...the only and eternal truth - God." The group's stance is also evident: "Pro Deo! Pro Rege! Pro Patria!"

  The album is, otherwise, dark and "scratched," a work befitting Kali Yuga. Predecessors are probably Wappenbund and Der Blutharsch. The group's mixing, tone and effect choices are excellent as always, his samples well-chosen, the soundscapes expressive. It is doubtless that the album is radical and militant, both in concept and music. Nonetheless, let us listen to the lyrical shades that build upon this skeleton: "Like dew settles on the petals of lilies at dawn / Like mercy comes to us as protection / - Such is our victory!"

   Kriegsfall-U is an honorable work, one of its kind in Hungary, but stretches across borders and stands side by side its stylistic competitors.

  Still, while I am interpreting Kriegsfall-U and predicting its future glory, but the voice of the group keeps on crying through "the blood of heroes": "Wait and watch!"

From Aural Pressure: (by ANM)

  I don’t believe in hype. In fact I absolutely hate it. Hype will betray you. Hype will disillusion you. You can’t trust hype. It will always let you down dramatically. Without mercy. Leaving you empty and unfulfilled. When I was initially informed of this impending debut release on Cold Spring records that here was a group better than the sums of parts consisting of Laibach, Der Blutharsch, Turbund Sturmwerk and many others I just rolled my eyes. Been there. Heard it all before. Take your overblown viewpoint to someone who will listen. Some other poor unsuspecting mug. You won’t catch me out with your lies. Damn unforgivable lies. So I forgot about it…until now. Only now can I tell the truth. The whole truth. Nothing but the truth. The complete picture.

  "Kriegsfall-U" is the debut recording by the Hungarian group Kriegsfall-U which comes housed in a luxury Digipak with A3 sized full colour poster inside with English translated lyrics of the songs. The seven tracks with a total running time of 36 minutes are dedicated to the memory of Blessed King Charles IV and Bela Hamvas. Their lyrics fall into philosophical / political rhetoric and tales of adulation and heroic conquests. The villains slain by the defenders of justice. Bloodied on the field of battle. Words alone, no matter how interesting or thought provoking, needs the appropriate musical accompaniment to bring them to life. To add the flesh to the bones. Mixing neo classical / neo folk / sacral post military Industrial music into one huge cauldron and stirring vigorously the unleashed combination never overwhelms the vocals. Instead by working in harmonious tandem, adding the required depth to certain passages or speech free interludes, the effects are electric. Never crushingly in your face, intruding awkwardly when least desired, the music reigns in any excesses which threaten to overpower the whole listening experience. Thus the electronic sound sculptures, strident marching beats and orchestrations are allowed to breath. To expand and develop creating an invigorating listening experience. Quiet, almost, reflective passages move gracefully into stirring martial anthems, some backed by diligent use of samples, onto hymnal choir inspired soundscapes. Backing this diverse musical accompaniment is the guttural deep vocals, given occasional echo effects or sounding like they are being spoken/sung through a megaphone, adding that extra dimension to the overall production of the pieces.

  There are / will be comparisons made to the likes of early Laibach, Les Joyaux De La Princess, Der Blutharsch, Sophia etc. This can’t be helped as these and so many other like minded musicians were the pioneers of this style of music. Kriegsfal-U may have borrowed certain elements or ideas from all of them in the making of "Kriegsfall-U" but the end result is a recording that is both intelligent and individually stamped. Without doubt a dazzling debut you shouldn’t miss. For once believe the hype.

From The Scrying Mirror: (by DJ Death)

  A new signing to Cold Spring records, described as Martial Industrial, Kriegsfall-U are from Hungary. They are inspired by the blood of heroes of love and fear. "Our Last Golden Bough Has Been Betrayed" opens quietly with the sound of rainfall and text spoken in Hungarian. This then gives way to Trumpets and drums torn asunder by large chunks of industrial distortion. "The Great Man I - The Stance" a very minamalistic song with distorted echoing voices which disolves into church organ and a snare drum duet. "Those Who Are Still Waiting" starts with a very low orchestral arrangement another very sparse but intriguing musical arrangement could almost be a soundtrack to Diablo. "Porta Herum" with more vocals in Hungarian and a repetive drum stroke, probably the most up tempo song on the CD. "The Ancient Lords" features some sampled loops that sounds like music that accompanied films in the 20's. A Fine Dark piece of industrial ambience. "The Great Man - II " - Very loud distorted drums which at the right level could make your ears bleed. "Standing By Truth" starts with a mixture of samples, Laughter, a Piano, Children singing and then more large chunks of industrial noise. Very much an acquired taste or if you like something that isn't just full on noise then maybe this is for you.