Stein was formed in 2005 as the solo-project of Norbert Strahl-the  lead singer of Seelenthron and Nothing Ends, and also member of well respected NeoFolk outfit Dies  Natalis. Norbert's aim with Stein was, to compose songs for the poems of Georg Thom (his grandfather), written between 1911 and 1936. In the beginning, Norbert worked with Jens Vetter of Grünland who also was ex-Dies Natalis member, but due to the intense work on Seelenthron, Stein stopped in the fledgling stage.

“Haldor” finds the project as a full & active five piece band, and the album offers up ten varied and highly enjoyable tracks. The songs are  mainly built around a melodic acoustic guitar strummed and stripped percussive base, which is added to & embossed by subtle electric guitar & bass guitar elements that take in melodic indie tones as well as folk rock sheens. Added to this is a mainly male & melodic Germanic singing, with some female backing here and there too. All the songs are fairly stripped, simply and un-crowded in there feel with subtle uses of synth strings, keyboards, trumpet and backing  harmony vocals used to enhance the tracks memorable and melodic structures.

So if you enjoy simply, tuneful, and well put together Germanic folk with an indie and pop tinged moments “Haldor” will be right up your street.