MIDGARD

As clear, well-performed and well-constructed as ever but, somehow, it's lacking the exciting freshness of past releases like Renaissance, Eden and Luna. 1. "Midgard Prolog" (0:50) 2. "Federkleid" (4:42) opens with birds, harp and Fiona's wooden flute. Pretty. The band joins in with the strings and drums and handclaps before the big newcomer Katja Moslehner and the choir take over. Nice vocal arrangements but nothing really new here until the final 20 seconds. (8/10)

3. "Sonnenreigen (Lughnasad)" (3:54) OK, with Fiona in the lead, and a nice melody in the chorus, but nothing new here. (8/10)

4. "Alba II Intro" (2:00) 5. "Alba II Cello" (6:10) cello is a nice addition (8.5/10)

6. "Nacht Des Nordens" (5:34) features the dual voices of newcomer Katja Moslehner and founding member Fiona then joined by the guys for the chorus. The song just doesn't do much musically. (7/10)

7. "MacBeth" (5:57) a pretty musical base for Oliver to tell this ancient story. Nice melodies and delicacy. (9/10)

8. "Gold Und Seide" (4:35) the warbly vibrato of newcomer Katja Moslehner is interesting. (8.5/10)

9. "Brandan" (3:58) one of the better songs on the album because it has something new in its sound and construct-- plus it features the solo pleasant voice of newcomer Stephan Groth. (8.5/10)

10. "Odin" (5:58) (featuring Wardruna) has a nice ominous feel to its opening joined, eventually, by multiple voices, a pair of males first (with Oliver in the lead), then background female banshees. Lots of whistles and ancient strings woven together in a kind of royal processional. The collective "choir" chanting in the middle is very cool. (8.5/10)

11. "Rabenballade" (5:03) crow, bouzouki and Oliver introduce this song. Full band join in with the first chorus. At 1:10 the instrumental weave doubles in thickness--which is nice. The drwn out second half has some really nice instrumental performances and tension. One of the three best songs on the album. (9/10)

12. "Lange Schatten" (3:33) opens with a very pastoral flute which is joined by Fiona's pleasant, relaxed, upbeat pretty voice. It could be a nature song or a maiden' innocent love song. (8.5/10)

Bonus Tracks 13. "Aufbruch" (4:54) pleasant song with a nice beat, nice low end, and great lead vocal by Stephan. (8.5/10)

14. "Alswinn" (3:47) a nice mediæval-sounding song with Katja singing in a pleasant lead. (8/10) 15. "Räven" (6:04) almost an Americana/C & W feel to it with Katja's pretty vibrato. (8/10)

The album just lacks much in the way of surprise and buildup/crescendo, the songs mostly flow at one speed without any tension or drama. The focus of the album, I know, is to explore "ancient" Scandanavian folk songs, but the music just needed a little more spice. I don't get the addition of the "bonus tracks"--why aren't they just considered part of the album from the first place. I guess for the limitations of vinyl pressings.