Out on March 18th via the SwissDarkNights label, and ahead of their new album “Mission: Create”, is the all new The Spiritual Bat MCD “At the Edge of Life”.The release comes in a 4-panel clear tray digipak with all Lyrics included on the inner panel.

“At the Edge of Life” is another one in the series of limited EPs on SwissDarkNights and features all exclusive material, this time with a number of guests.

The opening track for instance was produced by Stephen Carey (This Burning Effigy, Adoration, The Eden House, ex-NFD) and features violin and viola player Shir-Ran Yinon, one of the two violinists in The Eden House, ex-Krayenzeit and also ex-violinist for New Model Army. The second track features Doc (Eric) Hammer, husband of Lisa Hammer and both of Requiem in White & Mors Syphilitica. “Lockdown” has Peter Bugg Rizzo of Gene Loves Jezebel as guest, who also mixed the track and the last track on the EP is a song from their 2017 Danse Macabre Album “Your own World-And the Vision of Sound”, remixed by Claus Larsen.

You can check out the Video for “Mission” below.

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

Background/Info: This EP has been released a few months after Krayenzeit’s fourth full length album. The songs have been released after their last tour featuring four new cuts, three collaborative cuts and one remix plus an intro- and outro live impression.

Content: The sound formula is quite similar as for “Saitentänzer”. Krayenzeit is a truly offspring between metal-, rock- and folk music. The menacing guitar play is pure metal-, but also a bit rock orientated while some of the acoustic instruments, like the violin, create an entertaining folk element. This EP is more diversified than the album; it’s not only into power, but you’ll also find more evasive and even ballad-driven songs.

We next get 3 songs originally released at the album, which have been performed with guests. Liv Kristine is for sure the most famous name from the list. The last song is a remix from another album song by L’Âme Immortelle.

+ + + : The artwork of the album already was a little artistic jewel and it’s exactly the same for this EP; I’m holding on my belief and respect for physical copies! But this EP also is a great production for its originality; the fans get 4 new songs mixing the heaviest- and most sensible side from the band. There’s only one remix, but made by a great name while the other cuts are songs that have been revisited through the collaboration with guests. Among the new cuts I like the intimate style emerging from “Hautnah”. The reworked version of “Saitentänzer” together with the Mondéna quartet is also worthy to discover.

– – – : I’d high expectations from the song (cf. “Regen Und Sturm”) together with Liv Kristine; I like the duo concept, but Liv Kristine appears to be more a kind of backing vocalist and that’s a pity. I also expected a bit more from the remix by L’Âme Immortelle, which sounds uninspired.

Conclusion: From a very personal point of view I prefer this EP instead of the album; there’s more diversity in the songs, but I especially discovered a more intimate and inhibited side of the band. 

Best songs: “”Hautnah”, “Leviathan”, “SAitentänzer – Mondéna Quartet Version”.

Rate: (7½).

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

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

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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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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

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.

www.side-line.com