
Falkenstein - Urdarbrunnen [Heimatfolk - 2008]Southern German folk collective Falkenstein return for a second full length album not long after their enjoyable first album Heiliger Wald. And once more this is another consistent and tuneful, yet stern collection of Germanic folk tracks. And though this keeps the tone and personality of the first album firmly in place, it also shows signs of progression and growth with-in the bands song writing & musical prowess. With maybe the tone here been a little more melancholy and sombre then first time around. The tracks here mixing in subtle hints of 80’s sombre pop tone, folk/ rock electric guitar roars and classical gitar pickings and ornate-ness. The tracks managing to be fairly varied in pace with the crystalline acoustic guitar and often duel male German vocals sometimes surrounded by string swoons and flute lifts; yet things never going too experimental or risky – this always stays fairly true to it’s Germanic folk spirit . An enjoyable and memorable Germanic folk album which through does little to expand the genre is certainly worthy of your time if you appreciate well written, tuneful yet melancholy tinged folk music.      Roger Batty
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