Genre/Influences: Metal-rock, rock-folk, medieval.

Background/Info: Set up in 2011 and based in Stuttgart (Germany), Krayenzeit previously released three albums on Oblivion/SPV. They gained recognition in their homeland, performed at some of the biggest national festivals and played together with big names such as Schandmaul and Saltatio Mortis. They earlier this year released their first album on Trisol featuring twelve new tracks.

Content: Krayenzeit is a collective featuring seven members. They composed a sound, which is mixing different influences, but also has an authentic feeling. The use of real instruments such as violin and viola inject an extra touch to the work. All the songs have been sung in German so it’s not that easy for non-German speaking music lovers to understand what they’re dealing with although the choruses have this elevating power to sing along with their charismatic singer Markus ‘Engel’ Engelfried.

From a powerful opening metal-rock piece to songs with a growing folk and/or medieval style this album is always driven by the magic of the choruses. 

+ + + : I’m not surprised Krayenzeit became rather successful in  their homeland. The music is made to please a wide number of German music freaks; from metal- to rock- to folk lovers, the album has this magic to seduce them all. I personally like the folk input created by great violin parts, but I also enjoyed some of the subtle piano arrangements while menacing guitar riffs brings a kind of positive aggression. On top of it you’ll discover the passionate vocals of their front man. He has a very particular timbre of voice which I’m not a huge fan of, but which is easily recognizable. Last, but not least, I also want to say a word about the great, artistic digipak from this release.

– – – : Krayenzeit is not exactly innovating, but sounds in the line of numerous German formations dealing with a similar style. It all appears to be a German thing and that’s probably why this kind of band is famous in Germany and rather unknown abroad.

Conclusion: I can perfectly imagine Krayenzeit playing in front of bigger crowds, which they’ll entertain with their melodic metal-rock & folk music.

Best songs: “Saitentänzer”, “Nur Ein Lied”, “Dornröschen”, “Schattenkabarett”.

Rate: (7).

Artist: www.krayenzeit.de / www.facebook.com/Krayenzeit

Label: www.trisol.de / www.facebook.com/pages/Trisol–Music–Group/104166526285471