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 Review archive:  # a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s t u v w x y z

Arnica - Lecho de Piedra [Percht /Steinklang Records - 2014]

Lecho de Piedra (meaning in English ‘Deadbed Stone') is the second full length album from this Ur/Pyrenne Folk  collective from Catalunya Iberia. On offer here is a collection of earthy & harsh folk tunes that are themed around death in barren nature; be it in the surroundings of standing stones, inside mountains, or within forests.

Each of the albums twelve tracks is built around an often urgent, moody & stern mixture of layers of  strummed  acoustic guitar, different types of  drum & percussive elements, up-fount & often theatrical Iberian lead vocals & warrior like chants. Also mixed into the tracks we get touches of  formal instrumentation such as: accordion, Catalonian bagpipe flute, mouth harp, & Gralla (a traditional Catalan double reed instrument). And less formal & primal  sonic elements such as: stones, bones, antlers, ratchets, cowbells, & field recordings- taking in the sounds of the forests, fires, and rivers.

The pace of the album moves from up-beat & urgent, to slightly slower & moody fare…though mostly the tracks tend towards the more rapid & stern focus.  I can’t  really say melody wise any of the  songs really stuck out, but the album is less about tuneful fare & more about creating a moody & stern feeling of traditional  Iberia warriors, death, and the legends of this ancient land.

The CD comes in an eight panel digipak that features stark pictures of stranding stones, ancient stone cravings, & dead/ rotting animals in nature-  it’s all very fitting for the mood of the album it’s self. 

If you enjoy the likes of other Ahnstern/ Percht artists such as  Sangre Cavallum, or dark  & more stern Sturmpercht material- you’ll find this album a fairly rewarding & moody experience.  I can’t say this is one of the most consistent or memorable releases with-in the earthy & Alpine Folk music genre, but it’s a passable enough effort.

Rating: 3 out of 5Rating: 3 out of 5Rating: 3 out of 5Rating: 3 out of 5Rating: 3 out of 5

Roger Batty
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