Urze de Lume/Bravios/2025 Full Length Review

  This  is  a  review  of  another  recording  from  Portugal's  solo  project  Urze  de  Lume  which  shows  the  music  going  for  a  neo-folk  style  with  elements  of  dark  ambient,  drone  and  ritual  and  the  album  was  self  released  in  2025  and  called  "Bravious".

  Field  recordings  and  atmospheric  sounding  drones  start  off  the  album  while  the  synths  also  add  in  elements  of  ambient.  When  percussion  is  utilized  it  also  takes  the  music  into  more  of  a  ritualistic  direction  along  with  some  folk  instruments  also  being  utilized  quite  a  bit  throughout  the  album.

  Most  of  the  music  also  sticks  to  an  instrumental  direction  while  the  music  also  captures  a  very  tribal,  shamanistic  and  medieval  atmosphere  at  times.  Each  song  also  sounds  very  different  from  each  other  along  with  some  tracks  also  adding  in  a  small  amount  of  acoustic  guitars  and  nature  sounds  can  also  be  heard  on  a  lot  of  songs.

  On  this  recording  Urze  de  Lume  focuses  more  on  an  instrumental  and  ritualistic  style  of  neo-folk  as  well  as  adding  in  touches  of  ambient,  drone  and  field  recordings  to  create  something  very  different.  The  production  sounds  very  dark  while  the  song  themes  focus  more  on  Iberian  Paganism,  Traditions  and  Occultism.    

  In  my  opinion  this  is  another  great  sounding  album  from  Urze  de  Lume  and  if  you  are  a  fan  of  instrumental  and  ritualistic  neo-folk,  you  should  check  out  this  recording.  RECOMMENDED  TRACKS  INCLUDE  "Besta  Soberana"  "Notrtada  Sanabresa"  "Fojos  de  Sangue"  and  "Expiritos  de  um  Crepusculo  Silvestre".  8  out  of  10.

  

"BRAVIOS"

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Urze de Lume/Ventos da Terra Fria/Equilibrium Music/2023 Full Length Review

   This  is  a  review  of  an  older  recording  from  Portugal's  solo  project  Urze  de  Lume  which  showed  the  music  going  for  a  neo-folk  direction  with  elements  of  ambient,  drone,  field  recordings.  ritual  and  world  music  and  the  album  was  released  in  2023  by  Equilibrium  Music  and  called  "Vento  da  Terra  Pria".

  Field  recordings  start  off  the  album  along  with  some  ambient  style  synths  and  ritualistic  soundscapes  a  few  seconds  later.  A  couple  of  the  tracks  are  also  very  long  and  epic  in  length  while  folk  instruments  are  also  utilized  quite  a  bit  throughout  the  recording  and  the  songs  also  add  in  a  lot  of  tribal  style  percussion.

  When  chants  are  utilized  they  also  add  in  more  of  a  shamanistic  atmosphere  while  acoustic  guitars  are  also  used  quite  a  bit  throughout  the  album.  Most  of  the  songs  also  stick  to  more  of  an  instrumental  direction  along  with  the  album  also  adding  in  touches  of  ethnic  and  world  music  and  the  recording  also  captures  a  very  medieval  atmosphere,  a  lot  of  the  tracks  also  sound  very  different  from  each  other.  

  On  this  recording  Urze  de  Lume  focuses  more  on  an  instrumental  style  of  neo-folk  as  well  as  adding  in  some  ambient,  drone,  ritualistic,  field  recordings  and  world  music  touches  to  create  something  very  different.  The  production  sounds  very  dark  while  the  song  themes  focus  on  Iberian  Paganism  and  Shamanism.

  In  my  opinion  this  is  another  great  sounding  recording  from  Urze  de  Lume  and  if  you  are  a  fan  of  instrumental  and  ritualistic  neo-folk,  you  should  check  out  this  album.  RECOMMENDED  TRACKS  INCLUDE  "Pastora  de  Pedras"  "Bramas  pt.  1"  "A  Lenta  Ruina  dos  Tempos"  and  "Cancao  a  Larouco".  8  out  of  10.

  https://urzedelume.bandcamp.com/album/ventos-da-terra-fria

Urze de Lume/Historias de Lobos/Two Moons Records/Equilibrium Music/2020 EP Review

 

  Urze  de  Lume  are  a  solo  project  from  Portugal  that  has  been  featured  before  in  this  zine  and  on  this  recording  plays  a  mixture  of  dark  ambient  and  neo  folk  and  this  is  a  review  of  his  2020  album  "Historias  de  Lobos"  which  was  released  as  a  joint  effort  between  Two  Moon  Records  and  Equilibrium  Music.

 Nature  sounds  and  field  recordings  start  off  the  ep  while  clean  guitars  are  introduced  on  the  recording  a  couple  of  minutes  later  which  also  adds  in  the  darker  side  of  folk  music.  When  synths  are  utilized  they  also  bring  in  elements  of  dark  ambient  while  drones  are  also  added  into  some  parts  of  the  music  and  spoken  word  parts  are  also  added  into  some  parts  of  the  recording.

  Ritualistic  soundscapes  can  also  be  heard  in  certain  sections  of  the  music  while  harsh  noises  are  also  utilized  at  times.  All  of  the  tracks  also  sound  very  different  from  each  other  along  with  one  track  also  introducing  electric  guitar  sounds  onto  the  recording  which  also  adds  in  a  touch  of  black  metal  as  well  as  some  of  the  songs  also  being  instrumentals,  melodic  guitar  leads  can  also  be  heard  on  the  closing  track.

  On  this  recording  Urze  de  Lume  focuses  less  on  the  neo  folk  style  of  his  previous  release  and  mixes  in  elements  of  ambient,  drone,  ritual  and  harsh  noise  to  take  his  sound  to  another  level.  The  production  sounds  very  dark  while  the  lyrics  are  written  in  Portuguese  and  cover  solitude,  nature  and  fear.

  In  my  opinion  this  is  another  great  sounding  recording  from  Urze  de  Lume  and  if  you  are  a  fan  of  neo  folk,  dark  ambient,  drone,  ritual,  harsh  noise  and  black  metal,  you  should check  out  this  ep.  RECOMMENDED  TRACKS  INCLUDE  "Capitulo  II"  and  "Capitulo  VII".  8  out  of  10.

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Urze de Lume Interview

1.Can you give us an update on what has been going on with the band since the recording of the new album?
We have been trying to promote it and also composing new material.

2.Recently you have released a new album, how would you describe the musical sound that is presented on the recording and also how does it differ from the stuff you have released in the past?
This album is quite different in terms of instrumentation, we push forward some of the ideas we had explored in the previous EP, however, it is still Urze de Lume.
For this record, we tried to capture the essence of Autumn and everything that this season represents, not only in terms of nature, but also in our inner self,  so we also made a bit of a symbiosis between the music and poetry. It’s a more introspective work.

3.Can you tell us a little bit more about your interest in Iberian culture and traditions?
Our ancestors came from the rural areas in Portugal, were some of the traditions are still present. For us it’s important to keep this traditions alive, and our love for it is the base of our inspiration.

4.What is the meaning and inspiration behind the name 'Urze de Lume?
Its means roots, old ways and homage to our ancestors. Like a burning heather in a dark night, showing us the way to our past...

5.What are some of the best shows that the band has played over the years and also how would you describe your stage performance?
We had really unforgettable shows, like the ones in OESTRYMNIS Festival de Arte Folk, the festival organized by us, and also our participation in Raíz Ibéria (Spain), were the public really knew what was going on.
Our stage performance can be very different. Since every album we release differs a lot from the previous, we end up with a very dynamic show. We fell that most of the time we combine tradition with ritualism.

6.Do you have any touring or show plans for the new album?
Yes, we are very focused on trying to take this album as far as we can.

7.The new album came out on 'Equilibrium Music, how did you get in contact with this label?
We meet at OESTRYMNIS Festival de Arte Folk and since then we've been working together. Our first common work was the EP "Vozes na Neblina". It all happen in a very natural way.

8.On a worldwide level how has the feedback been to your music by fans of neo-folk and other dark forms of music?
It has been great. We feel that this album was very much well received by the neo-folk scene and also from the metal community. We have been spreading this root deep as time goes by.

9.Where do you see the band heading into musically during the future?
We don't know... We just know that we will continue to make music, free from formulas and pressures, so we can be as authentic as we can.

10.What are some of the bands or musical styles that have had an influence on your music and also what are you listening to nowadays?
We are all very eclectic in terms of music that we listen too. It's very hard to name bands that has influenced Urze de Lume. It is easier to relate with some styles like Portuguese folk music, dark ambient, classical, and some black metal.

11.What are some of your non musical interests?
Travelling, craft work, writing, etc...

12.Before we wrap up this interview, do you have any final words or thoughts?
Thank you for your interest and support on our work. We also would like to thank to all the ones that keep up with us.

https://www.facebook.com/urzedelume/

Urze de Lume/As Arvores Secas E Nao Tem Folhas/Equilibrium Music/2018 CD Review

  Urze  de  Lume  are  a  band  from  Portugal  that  plays  a  dark  from of  neo-folk  and  this  is  a  review  of  their  2018  album  "As  Arvores  Secas  E  Noa  Tem  Folhas"  which  was  released  by  Equilibrium  Music.

  Nature  sounds  which  also  return  on  some  of  the  later  tracks  start  off  the  album  and  after  the  intro  acoustic  guitars  are  added  onto  the  recording  along  with  a  great  amount  of  finger  picking  and  full  chords  and  they  take  this  music  into  more  of  a  neo  folk  direction  and  most  of  the  tracks  are  instrumentals.

  Spoken  word  parts  and  whispers  can  also  be  heard  in  certain  sections  of  the  recording  while  the  music  also  brings  in  a  great  amount  of  folk  instruments  which  also  gives  the  songs  more  of  an  ethnic  feeling  along  with  some  of  the  songs  sounding  very  different  from  each  other  and  as  the  album  progresses  shamanistic  and  tribal  style  percussion's  are  added  onto  the  recording  briefly.

  Urze  de  Lume  plays  a  style  of  neo-folk  that  is  very  dark  sounding  with  a  nature  orientated  atmosphere,  the  production  sounds  very  dark  while  the  song  themes  focus  on  Iberian  traditions  and  a  homage  to  their  past.

  In  my  opinion  Urze  de  Lume  are  a  very  great  sounding  dark  neo-folk  band  and  if  you  are  a  fan  of  this  musical  genre,  you  should  check  out  this  band.  RECOMMENDED  TRACKS  INCLUDE  "As  Arvores  Estao  Secas  e  Nao  Tem  Folhas"  "Da  Tau  Ausencia"  "Sombras  no  Vento"  and  "Alvorada  de  Destrocos".  8  out  of  10.

www.urzedelume.com
www.equilibriummusic.com
www.urzedelume.bandcamp.com
www.facebook.com/urzedelume
www.instagram.com/urzedelume
www.youtube.com/user/ urzedelume

www.youtube.com/watch?v=qS_ xhKEI6lY (official video for “Entardece em Mim”)
www.youtube.com/watch?v= zseyZxkRKfY (official video for “Outono Eterno”)