Frakmundt/Heiwehland/Steinklang/2011 CD Review

  Frakmundt are a band from Switzerland that had their previous album reviewed in this zine that plays a musical style I would describe as being Swiss Ur-Folk and this is a review of their 2011 album "Heiwehland" which was released by Steinklang.

Percussion's are all slow beats, while the accordion, hurdy-gurdy and flutes bring an ancient folk music feeling to the music, as for the bass playing it has a very strong and powerful sound with folk riffing that dominates throughout the recording.

Guitars are all acoustic with a  lot of full chords and finger picking that bring a medieval folk music feeling to the music and there are no guitar solos or leads present on this recording.

Vocals are a mixture of clean singing male and female vocals that get operatic at times with a brief use of spoken word parts, while the lyrics are written in Swiss Alemannic dialect with themes that cover historical and strange events, tragic tales, frightening creatures, mysterious beings and the melancholic longing for a beautiful homeland, as for the production it has a very dark and ancient sound to it.

In my opinion this is another great album from Frakmundt and if you where a fan of their previous recording, you should enjoy this one as well. RECOMMENDED TRACKS INCLUDE "Chromm Domini s' esch Zyt!" "Ha an em Ort es Bluemli gseh" "S'Toggeli" and "Heiwehland". RECOMMENDED BUY.

https://frakmundt-ch.bandcamp.com/

Frakmundt/Urbarglieder/Percht/Steinklang/2010 CD Review

  Frakmundt are a band from Switzerland That featues Cz the mastermind behind Vinterriket, Atomtrakt, and Dannagoischd that plays a style that I would describe as being Swiss Ur Folk and this is a review of their debut album "Urbarglieder" which was re-issued by Percht and Steinklang.

Percussion's are mostly slow beats with a lot of folk instruments being used such as the accordion, flute and violins which gives the music a very ancient feel.

Acoustic guitars are mostly full chords and finger picking that are played at a mid paced beat that brings an European folk music feel to the music, while the vocals are all clean singing vocals with some whispers, spoken word passages,females singing and a small amount of aggressive vocals that have a black metal feel to them, as for the synths when they are utilized they bring a very dark feel to the music.

Lyrics are written in German and cover old sagas and nearly forgotten songs and atmospheres of Switzerland, while the production has a very dark and esoteric feel.

In my opinion Frakmundt are a very good neo-folk band and another masterpiece from cz, if you are a fan of that style and all of the other guys projects, you should check out this album. RECOMMENDED TRACKS INCLUDE "Die Alte Schyzer" "Herschtmanet" "Simelibarg" and "wormer". RECOMMENDED BUY.

https://frakmundt-ch.bandcamp.com/