Allerseelen — Rauhe Schale

2010 has brought us Allerseelens latest release Rauhe Schale.   The creation of Gerhard Halstatt; here he is joined with musicians Dimo Dimov and Marcel P. (also members of Miel Noir), Annabel Lee (Blood Axis) and Meri Tadic (from Eluveitie).  Allerseelen has been playing their innovative brand of music for 20 + years now.  What they create is a unique mix of what can be described as Folk Industrial.  That may sound a bit contrived but in Allerseelens’ hands its hardy the case.

Rauhe Schale (which translates loosely to “rough shell”), is a continuation of the bands fusion of folklore with Industrial and Metal leaning sounds.  The sixteen songs here embrace this mixture in every song, some more than others, but all have a connection with the past and present.  In spots the sounds are hypnotic and sensual, at other times a slick (reminiscent of early 80’s Dark Wave bands) electronic aura pervades.  The settings they create are also diverse from somber and moody to dramatic and whimsical. 

The vocals are likewise striking, but at times it seems with better production they would be more dynamic.  That’s not to say they are lacking, it just feels (and sounds) a bit monotone.  With their distinctive and avant garde style they construct; even a minor flaw cannot dissuade the listener.  Allerseelens strength lies in their seamless ability to entwine contradictory elements and create Electronic Folklore.