Behind this somewhat playful band name lies a legendary duo: Fritz Hagal (Sonne Hagal) and Tony Wakeford (Sol Invictus), joined by notable guests such as Matt Howden (Sieben), Risa Hara (Inanis Yoake), and Bo Rande (Blue Foundation). Fritz and Tony have collaborated before, but this new album is likely to attract greater attention.

I didn’t quite know what to expect, yet the two gentlemen have delivered a genuine surprise. Their music inhabits a space somewhere between Chanson, Dark-Jazz, and even touches of freestyle Pop, with occasional psychedelic undertones. What captivated me most, however, was the enchanting presence of the trumpet, which conjures up the atmosphere of film noir — dimly lit bars with soft seats, where you can sink back, light a cigar, and let the music’s spell unfold. The deep vocals add to this evocative mood, enhancing the album’s rich texture.

The record is impressively varied — at times restrained, at others grand and dramatic — yet always marked by refined arrangements. While not every song is equally convincing, there are truly stunning gems to be found among them. (Rating:8).

Listen to “Children’s Laughter”:

https://darkvinylrecords.bandcamp.com/track/childrens-laughter

Inferno Sound Diaries

I have been working for over 30 years with Side-line as the main reviewer. My taste is eclectic, uncoventional and I prefer to look for the pearls, even if the bands are completely unknown, thus staying loyal to the Side-Line philosophy of nurturing new talents.

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Dark Vinyl will release “The Party’s Over”, the debut collaborative album by Fritz & Tony, on September 12, 2025. Issued as a 6-panel eco-digifile the release will only be available in CD format.

The project unites Tony Wakeford (Sol Invictus) and Fritz Hagal (Sonne Hagal) with contributions by Matt Howden (Sieben), Risa Hara (Inanis Yoake), and Bo Rande (Blue Foundation). The album was recorded in Berlin, Copenhagen, and London.

About Fritz & Tony

Fritz & Tony is a cross-national collaboration between Tony Wakeford, founder of British neofolk act Sol Invictus, and Fritz Hagal of the German experimental folk project Sonne Hagal. Wakeford, a veteran of the World Serpent label roster, has been active since the 1980s and is a key figure in defining the martial industrial and neofolk genres. Hagal’s work with Sonne Hagal brings traditional European folk elements combined with ambient textures and ritual soundscapes.

For “The Party’s Over”, the duo worked with long-time collaborators from across the dark alternative spectrum: Matt Howden (UK) of Sieben, known for his loop-based violin performances; Risa Hara (Japan) of Inanis Yoake, contributing vocals; and Bo Rande (Denmark) of Blue Foundation, known for cinematic trumpet work.

Bernard - Side-Line Staff

Chief editor of Side-Line – which basically means I spend my days wading through a relentless flood of press releases from labels, artists, DJs, and zealous correspondents. My job? Strip out the promo nonsense, verify what’s actually real, and decide which stories make the cut and which get tossed into the digital void. Outside the news filter bubble, I’m all in for quality sushi and helping raise funds for Ukraine’s ongoing fight against the modern-day axis of evil.

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