The band line-up is currently an entirely different than in the early days of the band: In addition to mastermind Oliver s.Tyr (vocals, bouzouki, nyckelharpa, Celtic harp, saz, Contrabasharpa and Jew's harp) made the Faune of the enchanting multi-instrumentalist Fiona Rüggeberg (vocals, flute, Chalumeaux, bagpipes, Rebap, dulcimer), the which joined since the last album Katja Moslehner (vocals), Rüdiger Maul (drums, percussion), Niel Mitra (samplers, synthesizers, beats) and Stephan Groth (vocals, hurdy-gurdy, cittern, flute) , Numerous masterpieces like the melancholic "Totem" (2007), the colorful and diverse "Eden" (2011), "Renaissance" (2005) and "The Book of Ballads" (2009) inspire the loyal fans today and still serve as a reference the folk genre, which can be explained not only with the times sumptuous, sometimes danceable music, but also with the mostly coming from the pen of Oliver s.Tyr Lyrics. The last album "Von den Elben" presented clearly represents a break in the camp of the Faune, was it inseparable from the exchange to the major label "Universal" and the production team of "Valicon" connected. Many listeners said the stylistic change and the parties in the process of composition Beteiligerung not, although had "Von den Elben" to offer some bright spots amid the polished entry into the world of major record labels. Nevertheless, even I have to admit that "Of the same" with the exception of a few pieces did not meet my taste, which is why I now follow the development of the Faune much strained. While songs like the most part from the album "Light" known dance "Andro II", "If we meet again" and "Thyme & Rosemary" quite for hope ensured, hit songs by the example of "Take me home", "Wild Rose "and" dance "a negative chapter with me.
Nevertheless, the Faune never gave up and their ideals: Who "of the Elves" visited the acoustic concert tour after the release of which has the Faune in their usual enthusiasm and with all the magic that surrounds them seen. The following concerts on a variety of medieval markets and on the "Von den Elben" tour proved that the fauns have never left them many years ago chosen path. The fauna are more than almost anyone else for their visions, their ideals and their musical direction, what is the people involved also notes. Anyone familiar with the fauns, the will as certainly agree with me - the old way of life is still there! A musical work that tells of the myths of the moon, according to the band - and a half years after the release of the controversial predecessor finally "Luna" appears. Welch brilliant paraphrase! The first images in the mind's eye herald of something big, the silvery moonlight of Erdbegleiters remains omnipresent since the announcement. In recent weeks, then the audio samples have been published for "Luna", which have met with a mixed reception by fans. While some of the listeners could see already on the basis of auditions that fauns have returned to their roots and re-deliver the highest quality, the other part was confined to the eternal "pop!" - Shouts. This raises the one who still has healthy ears, but the question: What please have on their current work to do the Faune with the rightly despised pop genre? That's right, nothing. Already the snippets have fulfilled all the hopes, one could again hear the eagerly missing instrumental parts, extremely lyrical texts and compositions that could not be more poignant. But what remains of it, if one considers the entire work before his eyes (or in front of the ears)? That's what I want to in the following, but very detailed review, illuminate.
Only visually featuring the "Deluxe Edition" looks beguiling. The limited edition has definitely one of the most beautiful cover of the Faun history, after all, is emblazoned an image of the moon on a deep blue background, surrounded by a stunning silver coinage. Be sure to access, as long as the possibility still exists! Beautiful, you can hardly make an album, and the moon as the central theme of the musical work is a cover motif indeed more than fitting. As soon as one of the slipcase with the silvery cover removed, you already holds an equally luxurious digipak in hands. On this the actual cover of the standard edition can be seen: The moon goddess highly even welcomes the listener and takes him into her magical world. At this point, once a further aspect of the contents of the album is clear, which is visualized by the graphical representation: It's all about the contrast of the female moon towards the male Sun, which stands for zest, realism and materialism. The female Moon moves against the feelings, intuition and dreams in the foreground - aspects that seem to be almost forgotten in the fast-paced society of today. The fauna on the other hand to take part in this subject and press already made with the cover artwork, where the journey should go. Night Black and dark blue shades draw a picture of mysticism and otherworldliness. Goddess worship as a spiritual center of the album is clearly recognizable, while also addressing the spiritual and pagan part of the faunal philosophy gets attention. A better face could "Luna" does not give!
Basically, the Faune deal on "Luna" with a variety of facets of the night. Neither mysticism, nor spirituality, melancholy or gaiety come too short, so that opens up a completely harmonious overall picture over the tracklist. Ultimately, "Luna" is also an appeal to those who are caught up in their daily lives and totally leave the illusion of realism in mind that there must be room for mysticism, imagination, belief and magical moments, unless you in reality want to lose completely. As much as are the lyrics to "Luna" a unit that could be the work call it a concept album, so much the musical refinement of different song to song. Diversity and inventiveness is important here!
When Intro acts of "Luna Prologue" - a nearly one-minute piece, which ensures spherical mood and the handset immediately transported into the world of the night. More than once, can be heard softly singing in the background, but overall you can still understand the piece as an instrumental introduction to the album. The glistening moonlight makes in any case as soon as possible in the minds of the listener wide and leaves this not even more, once the album is complete.
With "Walpurgisnacht" have the Faune than actual Opener chosen an immensely danceable song, which also serves as a template for the accompanying music video. Speaking of video: The "Walpurgisnacht" appears in the video visually seen at their best! Like no one else understand the Faune, to deliver impressions to "Walpurgisnacht" and to conjure up an irresistible fire dance. Costumes as not, a belt and a top form quite interesting storyline make this world the video for this song into something quite out of the ordinary! Must see!
On an acoustic level is "Walpurgisnacht" simply as a perfect choice for the first song to look at, but he pushes out the positive aspects of this magical night more than passionate. The festival, also known as Beltane, takes the listener to distant worlds with - in one night in which the boundaries between our world and the Otherworld. From my perspective, it is essential to sing the Walpurgisnacht of absolutely cheerful and positive point of view, what is the faunas succeeded in their corresponding song in any case. Breathtaking are the numerous instrumental parts in the midst of the song, which are modeled after a Swedish Polska. And that is supposed to be mainstream? Not at all!
"Colourful people" brought us the third a duet with Michael Rhein of In Extremo. While Fiona with her wonderful voice a lowbrow girl succumbs to the spell of freedom and followed the life of minstrels embodied, Michael Rhine takes on the role of the freedom-loving man game. He must, however, did not slip into a role, because by his activities as a singer of In Extremo he is anyway extremely suitable for this role as a predator of some bard. The entire text is used in this sense as a symbol of freedom and nonchalance, where it "revered and spat" with the motto of In Extremo has managed in the verses. The but only as a side note. Musically it comes to absolutely catchy, the instrumental bagpipes and hurdy-gurdy Parts after the chorus bring a lot of variety and at the same time are extremely danceable! I must admit that In Extremo now are no longer so really my cup of tea after I found, among other things through the medieval-themed music. Here is my medieval rock in the broadest sense current rather remote, especially since I can not begin too much with the raspy voice of the front man. In "colorful folk" but met Michael Rhein his part more than excellent and helps that a single-piece was created, which will open its doors catchiness certainly also in terms of the broad masses. Certainly not the best song on "Luna", but definitely a worth listening of the music history!
Shortly afterwards, the "minuet" the most romantic song on the new album of the Faune. The lyrics are a reworking of a poem by William Butler Yeats, who lived from 1865 to 1939. So reported the text of the otherworldly experience of a young girl whose life changes after a fateful moment. She meets a young man from the other world and forfeit his and his incomparable beauty. The golden apples of the sun and the silver apples of the moon, it has set itself the task - As fate would have it, the good disappears, leaving a girl who is doomed to walk with only one goal through the world to find in order to see again the beloved can. The myths of old England bring apples with Avalon, the island of apples, in combination. So the apples could serve to create a connection to the otherworld in order to close the youth once more into the arms ...
The soundscape turns out just like the text as crystal pearl of the album and a veritable gem. Quiet it comes to, mostly dreamy and sumptuous, yet always graceful and enchanting. If you can describe a song with such attributes, then the composers have certainly done everything right!
Instead five enchant us with the Faune "Hecate", one of my absolute favorites of "Luna" and one of the best pieces of the band's history! The Faune playing here in the face of incredible emotional and spiritual text in an unreal noise, which is very safe for trance-like states at those listeners who this masterpiece emerge completely, care. The song is a dreamy ode to Hecate, the goddess of magic and the guardian of the gates between worlds. A declaration of love to the magic goddess, which not only gives the protagonists maintenance, but also given him all his dreams. In terms of sound it comes here more than bombastic to: While the tasteful verses are still worn by Oliver's gentle, empathetic voice, surprised in the chorus a pompous chorus that can not be beat in terms of drama and ensures that the world at this moment resting , More than worth mentioning is the artwork, which has the world famous illustrator Victoria Frances for the song "Hecate" conjured up - a gloomy artwork that accompanies the listener while enjoying the sounds in almost breathtaking fashion.
In "Blue Hour" follows Stephans first real vocal participation at the forefront when it comes to studio recordings of the Faune. His singing is very clear, bright and aesthetically, therefore, which fits perfectly to the substantive basis of the lyrics. This telling fact of a youth who met in the eponymous blue hour shortly before nightfall a fairy beauty and expires thereafter. His mind can not distinguish between dream and reality, which makes the story becomes a tale of painful way then. Nevertheless, the tragedy of this statement excited me immensely and it touched me beyond deep in the heart. It should also be noted that shortly before the final chorus begins a frenzied solo by Stephen hurdy-gurdy, which forms a wonderful unity together with Niels punchy beats and the song makes a must for all future concerts! "Cuncti Simus" called the ensuing Marie song, which longtime companions of the band already from numerous concerts will be aware. In Latin the archetype of the mother goddess is sung. And how! Sonja Drakulich, on their excellent band Stellamara I just like notes, gives the song its stunning voice, and in the middle part of the song her voice reached unprecedented heights. To die for!
"Can you hear the drums", however differs in its stylistics arg from the previous piece. It's definitely one of the catchiest tracks on the album, and yet it brings especially in its chorus elegiac moments that exude magic to every nook and cranny. In keeping with the title of the song is almost universally accompanied by thumping drumbeats, which gives it a significant degree of force and energy. Striking is also the distorted voice of Oliver s.Tyr which is quite surprising for Faun ratios absolutely innovative and for long-time fans, but adapts these technical intervention to the circumstances of the song more than useful to. Do I have to praise the chorus really again? "Can you hear the drums" includes unquestionably one of the best choruses of the Faun history, and he hammers as his drumbeats permanently in my ear canals! Earwig? In any case!
And the text only! Who then still felt no desire to dance in the moonlight, the can not be helped! In concrete terms, it is about living out of personal passions and dreams, which were often charged in the past with guilt. Therefore, the song is a symbol of the component of freedom, for the attraction of the night.
According to the mystical, dark moments in "Can you hear the drums" set the Faune "Luna" in "The Wild Hunt" emphasizes cheerful continued. This happiness is a further aspect of the album, although this facet rarely comes to light. That the lively moments are few and so rare on "Luna", however, pleased me very much, because mysticism and melancholy are the faunas simply much better to face. So is "The Wild Hunt" is a really good song, but it is for me the weakest copies of his profession, at least in the context of "Luna". From a purely atmospheric perspective, the mood of the song takes me just not as much as the other, although the narrative underlying brings great tension with itself. The black arts come into focus here, a dark wizard desires a young girl. Because of this the magic, however, is also powerful, is a fast-paced duel between the two magicians developed ... With good end for the young woman, of course. A little similar to the editorial concept of the song "transformations I-III" made by ASP (Album: "Zaubererbruder - The Krabat-song cycle"). Again, Krabat and his dark master deliver a thrilling contest.
With "Woman Earth" we dip again a little more into the endless depths of mysticism. The song is due largely Katja Moslehner, and so enthroned her bell bright vocals also about everything. The lyrics are unfortunately not very long, so that the first verse is repeated again at the end, you can just as well simply as a stylistic device in the sense of emphasizing just these verses. It is purely and simply to a lullaby of a substantive midpoints of "Luna" is, despite its compact instrumentation. Dreaming the earth and the moon watches over the scenery ... What a touching picture!
"Anthem of the Night", most of the companions Faune already know from the concerts lately. Just like the previous "woman earth" by the inspiration of Katja could come about, so is the "Anthem of the Night" a reflection of the outstanding craftsmanship of Mastermind Oliver s.Tyr. This refines the epic song with its romantic, wistful and gentle voice, as no one else could succeed at this point. The song is not only a hymn to the night, but also a paean to the archetypes of the moon goddess. The text is full of beautiful metaphors. The Faune sing a "world full of shining swords" and "banners in the wind", and the goddess herself is titled as "shield". "Anthem of the Night" his epic drama remains consistently faithful until it opens at the end in a majestic conclusion to give you goosebumps, as the protagonist implores his queen to take him with her "Night Song".
The perfect end to the standard CD and probably my dearest song "Luna" is "goodbye", which is sung by Fiona Rüggeberg. While the text written by Joseph Karl Benedikt von Eichendorff (1788 - 1857) comes, comes the sound of the idea here again vocally, visually stunning instrumental and Fiona. I want above all to the catchy the highest instrumental parts between the three verses, which are recited angelic of Fiona's touching voice, indicate here. These Niels energetic beats mix again primarily with the hurdy-gurdy, which has a particularly poignant effect on me. Breathtaking!
The lyrics of Eichendorff tell - matching the very dreamy soundscape - of encounters between man and the forest, the feel of his soul and of the effect of the idyllic nature of the individual. What could be more appropriate to the faunas, whereas they preach for countless years as values the naturalness, the love to our environment and the animism? Yes, that hurts "farewell" from the forest, but the recurrence in this retreat even more beautiful when it invests its canopy again protectively over our heads ...
The consistently successful "Deluxe Edition" furthermore includes three bonus tracks, which I of course want to deprive anyone. "Wind & violin XIV", so the new musical version of which appeared many years ago the original, although does not quite match the insanely powerful and still incomparably beautiful original approach, but it is for the later addition of beaten listeners certainly a good way to the magic of earlier works such as "light" to capture. In the structure of the song itself has not changed much, only the length of the song has been reduced by about one minute. However, the song has live naturally evolved immensely, resulting among other things in an even more meaningful use of the Front hurdy-gurdy, which plays an important role here. The lyrical facet of sound construct I'll have to explain to anyone - a nocturnal conversation between wind and violin, which man and nature embody and vie with one another. The victory is finally of course, the wind, the natural, because every human life is fleeting ...
The second bonus track in the form of "The songs will remain" is the second song on the album, which is not completely euphoric me. Perhaps the most cheerful song that ever put on paper the Faune, discusses the immortality of the songs, while man is transient as such. A trip to absolutely new soundscapes, which is one or the other surely enjoy, in and of itself but definitely not a highlight of the album. "Era Escuro", a Sephardic elegy, on the other hand reminded again clearly of earlier times. This song is carried by Katya's clear vocals, while Fiona flutes deliver beautiful interludes. The fateful encounter at nightfall, is from which gekündet in this song, leaves much room for interpretation and ideas, so that "Era Escuro" will surely conjure up not only in me endless imagination.
After the lion's share of such a publication, so the musical part, was commented on in detail and actually almost dissected, I would now like to go into the almost forty page booklet, which is included in a slipcase. This includes numerous photos of the beautiful fauna itself, but also impressions of nature and art as the "Hecate" drawing of Victoria Frances. A marvel rings from a mainly pictures of Fiona Rüggeberg, which was once more set in quite incredible scene. Also the group portrait proves how magical unit here is at work, the fire commemorate the Faune night ... Of course, contained in the booklet all texts, as well as the German translations of the foreign language songs "Cuncti Simus" and "Era Escuro ". Above all, I would like to mention the constantly matching quotes from poets and writers such as high Johann Wolfgang von Goethe and Franz Kafka. Tasting:
"In the woods
are things that
think you
years in Moos
could be. "
(Franz Kafka)
What is "Luna" So for an album? Is it the hoped by many fans go back to basics, back to the moss-green path on which the Faune walked for many years? The Faune want deliberately to convey a message, and they also contribute to the world. While with the controversial "by the Elves" is only partly successful, as the said message was not just offered so pervasive as to "Luna", the new album draws in particular the music back to the earlier works and communicate them to a broader public. Whether these then can take this kind content, wants and is, is a different matter, the Faune honors this attempt but surely. The epilogue to one of the last pages in the booklet sums up the appeal, the "Luna" is aimed at all listeners, wonderfully together. The point is to rediscover the path that brings us to where we can consciously dream again. A truer statement, there is not really, and they intervene in the Faune in most beautiful language. What remains an also left in an unjust, materialistic and emotionally cooled society? The fauns are among those who have not yet lost the sense of the important things that can be lost in mysticism and provide room for spirituality. Otherwise they celebrate on "Luna", which with incredibly beautiful songs like "Hecate", "Can you hear the drums", "Cuncti Simus", "Anthem of the Night", "goodbye" and "Era Escuro" comes along. The question of whether the Faune found back to their roots, one can confidently affirm. Of course, border aspects prove how much to short maturity of all songs that still too rare sowed instrumental parts and to clean production as a nuisance, but proves to be "Luna" in spite of all as enchanting lovely retreat for all lunatics and those who want to be there ! Fascinating and wonderful at the same time.
Playing tips: "Hecate", "minuet", "Can you hear the drums", "Blue Hour", "Cuncti Simus", "Anthem of the Night", "goodbye", "Era Escuro"
