Leger des Heils

dadado

听多了neo-folk，大段的氛围加上男低音组成了新民谣的主体。其实现在很多新民谣乐团，特别是德意乐团都有军国倾向，采用了大量的军鼓鼓击！Leger des Heils，这支Eis & Licht的重要乐队，就有这种风格！
旋律和节奏搭配得蛮好，听了一个下午，也觉得不厌烦，总觉得里面东西很多，这大概就是neo-folk的内涵吧

dadado

A brandnew full-length release by German Leger des Heils, named after our beloved organisation in the Netherlands. Except for an extremely limited cd-release, this really is the first album by Leger des Heils which one can buy on cd. There is also a vinyl version, which is limited to only 169 copies.

First of all I must say the packaging is really nice: a large booklet with some very nice artwork and a postcard. The change in logo and overall appearance suggests a somewhat new approach for Leger des Heils, which can be heard in the music as well. Although the music is typical LDH stuff, it sounds somewhat more “clean” and less obscure than their previous works. After the intro, the first track “Geistesmahnung” starts and sounds very good. Nice drums, bells, and good melodies. The best track on this album in my opinion is the third track though, called “Rein wie eine Flamme”. Great melodies, acoustic guitars, bombastic keyboards and really good vocal-lines. Sounds rather passionate in a way…

So, what can we expect from the rest of the tracks? Well, the typical mixture of electronic neo-folk marches and poppy wave influences, and even one “ballad” which is called “Die Liebe”. This sounds a bit too sweet for me… “Ewige Gegenwart” is something different as well, with strange up-tempo rhythms and some session vocals. On the LP one can even find a “pop-version” of this track!
All in all a nice release, which shows us a more polished Leger des Heils but luckily still enough emphasis on the military drumming and bombastic melodies….and German vocals of course!

dadado

Because I rather like the later Leger des Heils releases, I've also bought their first 10". As always with Eis & Licht records it is looking nice, in a fairly plain grey cover and with an insert sheet without too much information. It only states that the Music was recorded between June and September 2000, somewhere in Germany. The sound of this 10" is comparable to their other vinyl releases: an electronic form of neo-folk, with classical layers of synth, marching drums and singing in English. The music is rather simple but effective, the melodies are very pleasant to listen to. Despite the martial drumming and the typical neofolk themes in the lyrics the atmosphere of this record is mostly romantic. Again a good record by Leger des Heils, nothing shocking, just some pleasant music

dadado

Earlier today I reviewed the 7" single 'The Strength of Will', but this 10" was in fact released earlier. Strange detail: the 7" has to be played on 33 rpm and the 10" on 45 rpm. This 10" also has a nice fold-out sleeve, and the picture of the little boy on the cover is also added as a postcard.
The A-side contains three tracks: Animus, Roses and Paradisus. The first two are in the same line as the single, solemn electronic folky songs. 'Animus' has choir sounds in the background, 'Roses' contains electronic horn sounds, both have slightly bombastic drums. 'Paradisus' is a short song with acoustic guitars and sounding East-European.
The B-side has two songs, 'The Strength of Will', which can also be found on the 7" single and 'Flame'. Just like the single this 10" contains some nice music, but I must say some more variation would be welcome on a next release.

dadado

This beautifully looking single comes in a luxurious packaging and is very limited. Nice heavy vinyl, 2 postcards in Leni Riefenstahl-style and a fold-out sleeve that is sealed with wax. The band takes its name from a Dutch charity organisation of 'Christian salvationist soldiers'.

Leger des Heils creates an electronic version of neo-folk, with good compositions, and uptempo drums that give it a heroic, hymnlike character. Unlike most new German acts in the neo-folk corner, the lyrics are in English. The title track can also be found on the Immortalitas 10", also released by Eis & Licht, the other three songs are brandnew. I find this a well-succeeded single with nice songs, especially 'The Strenght of Will' and 'Imperium'.

ethereal

这个电气也有点浓,不过我喜欢,恰当好处的说.
我只有第一张,18cm X 18cm的画册内放着CD,付送posters.