SVARROGH
DÉFILÉ DES ÂMES
ÀRNICA

"South European Folk Compendium"

Ahnstern - 2009

CD

Three of the most recent acquisition in the Ahnstern roost share this CD dedicated to South European folk, from East to West. Greece, Bulgaria and Catalonia united in a beautiful journey through indented coasts, thick Balkan woods and mountains. Hellenic Défilé Des Âmes are the first to appear on scene, with the extremely long "The Banner Of Vanity" (15 minutes!!!), a monolithic jumble that unfortunately fails in the attempt to create a slow and powerful rising pathos, resulting in the end quite unbearable. It's anyway the only weak ring in the chain of this triangular collaboration, of which the absolute protagonists are Svarrogh and Àrnica, continuously alternating with excellent tunes.

Dimo Dimov returns with style, showing a further improvement in the solemn and savage folk sound of "Yer Su", this time enriching the three tracks here featured with more powerful vocals and mesmerizing atmospheres. Àrnica confirm themselves as masters in conjuring the rural sceneries of their native lands with primitive fury, especially in the powerful "Lligueu Les Bèsties" (one of the best songs played on stage in Barcelona at the Mediterranean Autumn Festivals in September 2008) and the epic "Dona Que Plora". Défilé Des Âmes return almost at the end, with the bizarre instrumental "Ordo Ab Chao", that doesn't however add much to this excellent south European folk compendium, not to be missed by the followers of young and very promising Svarrogh and Àrnica, who give here their very best.

- Simon V.

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