Neofolk

[Cranial Blast]

Another newer neofolk project that I wish had yet another tape reissue in a little larger and more obtainable quantities, as I've missed it a couple times now, would be Lightning Under Camouflage. It's another project by William Watts, A.S.K.E. Definitely some very interesting material and also has that more experimental approach to neofolk sound. That one has escaped me a couple times now, which sucks. Hopefully William will yet again reissue it or perhaps another label will in the future.

[Bloated Slutbag]

Yeah apologies, pulled a Keith and deleted my comment. But on second thought any discussion of Neofolk would probably need to involve notions of identity and/or politics as tied to Europe, what it might mean to be European, et cetera and so forth.

Zelensky has certainly come in for criticism from the start, for not responding aggressively enough to earlier threats, the seemingly politically motivated efforts to sideline Zaluzhnyi, the frequently questioned promotion of Syrskyi. But then to the question of what kind of leader the country would need in wartime. For better or worse, media savvy has long been the thing.

[Theodore]

I deleted mine too. It was a knee-jerk response. I can't stand this guy.

Hm, don't know. Discussions about these subjects lead to an endless mess when many people are involved, like in a forum. Boss doesn't want this. I think he is right.

[Bloated Slutbag]

But as it seems I can't leave well enough alone, the question of the future of Europe lingers. As in, per the (previously linked now deleted) Fridman-Zelensky interview, Ukraine supposedly boasts 980,000 active troops (more recent article gives the number at 880,000), with Poland the next largest at approx 400K and France at 200K (plus nukes). Should Ukraine fall (and be hoovered into the Putin war machine) I would not think it unfair to ask what might become of Europe.

[OT The above comments brought into focus via the recent WCN interview with Chris/BISAD and the question of whether the noise community can survive global-level demographic shifts. The conclusion between the two was positive but...]

Out of guilt I here offer that The Gray Field Recordings finally returned from the dead (circa 2023) to issue She Sleeps To The Sound Of Knives, sounding I'd venture like Coil might if they were trying to do Neofolk with a convincing stand-in for Rose.

[xdementia]

A fantastic collection and new arrangements of Italian dark cabaret band ROMA AMOR's best work. https://klanggalerie.bandcamp.com/album/estemporanea

[burdizzo1]

A fantastic collection and new arrangements of Italian dark cabaret band ROMA AMOR's best work. https://klanggalerie.bandcamp.com/album/estemporanea

For me the best Roma Amor was the song they contributed to the OEC 7CD.

Been listening to the last two LPs from French group Swesor Bhrater lately. Outside the usual neo-folk axis, but neo-folkers should like it.

[xdementia]

Thanks for the rec, I'll check it out

[burdizzo1]

Thanks for the rec, I'll check it out

Aye, no bother. Especially liked this one: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X91GzkWvaK0

Their sound is sometimes neo-folk, sometimes more experimental, sometimes more post-punk, sometimes more synth... But usually pretty good. He's the brother of the lad that does Le Syndicat Electronique, a sort of minimal electro project.

[Phenol]

That The Gray Field Recordings thing was really good! I've been listening to quite a lot of Wappenbund lately, not exactly neofolk, but affiliated to that scene anyway. The first album is still very strong IMO. I guess I like martial industrial when it's heavy on the industrial element.

More on topic: has anyone given the new album from Mars (The Dark River) a chance? I have only listened to the track "All is One". It has strong DI6 vibes.

[BlackCavendish]

I've been listening to quite a lot of Wappenbund lately, not exactly neofolk, but affiliated to that scene anyway.

Back in the "glorious days" of martial industrial, Wappenbund was one of the best projects around (together with Triarii, Predella Avant and a few others).
Somewhat related, I've been revisiting the first two TMLHBAC albums, recently repressed (bootleg, of course), and, God, that was truly a wonderful time for this kind of stuff. That mix of minimal industrial, ambient, folkish/medieval tunes, cheesy synths, and Alzbeth's voice... Maybe there's a bit of nostalgia speaking here (once we were young), but I find those albums just as enjoyable today as they were in the past.

[PSYWARRIOR84]

https://youtu.be/RVDDVqpgyzc?si=bGC2Ir7LyjSdnKGB
Dies Natalis
Brilliant Martial Folk, top tier art

[burdizzo1]

Talking of martial and medieval folk... I think this is pretty phenomenal. No idea what film the clip comes from. Anyone?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tE5uMcThECQ

[Phenol]

No idea which movie that is, but the music reminds me of sangre Cavallum. I like the primitivism of it - the celtic/medieval stuff can quickly become a bit too happy or new age-adjacent for my taste, but this avoids those pitfalls.

TMLHBAC were great, better than Der Blutharsch IMO, unfortunately the releases are sold at horrendous prices these days. I have all the CDs (doubles of a A New Soldier... and Rest..., both up for trade for similar stuff...), but not the vinyls which now seem unobtainable due to the pricetags. All the vinyl tracks are found on the Rest On Your Arms Reversed compilation anyway, so that's okay.

I saw quite a few of the big names live when they were on top and Triarii were among the best. I never really got onboard with them as home listening, though. Maybe I should dig out my old CDs and give them another go.

I'm not sure why, and perhaps it's just me, but it feels like the neofolk/martial movement is gainning a little bit of momentum at the moment after c. two decades of stagnation. I could certainly do with a revival/re-vitalization of that scene.

[BlackCavendish]

I'm not sure why, and perhaps it's just me, but it feels like the neofolk/martial movement is gainning a little bit of momentum at the moment after c. two decades of stagnation. I could certainly do with a revival/re-vitalization of that scene.

I guess this could be related to the dungeon synth wave that came out in these last years.
But I don't know if this could lead to a martial industrial revival... it seems to me that it's a genre deeply entwined with a particular period in time (just like neofolk was, in one way or another).

[burdizzo1]

No idea which movie that is, but the music reminds me of sangre Cavallum. I like the primitivism of it - the celtic/medieval stuff can quickly become a bit too happy or new age-adjacent for my taste, but this avoids those pitfalls.

TMLHBAC were great, better than Der Blutharsch IMO, unfortunately the releases are sold at horrendous prices these days. I have all the CDs (doubles of a A New Soldier... and Rest..., both up for trade for similar stuff...), but not the vinyls which now seem unobtainable due to the pricetags. All the vinyl tracks are found on the Rest On Your Arms Reversed compilation anyway, so that's okay.

I saw quite a few of the big names live when they were on top and Triarii were among the best. I never really got onboard with them as home listening, though. Maybe I should dig out my old CDs and give them another go.

I'm not sure why, and perhaps it's just me, but it feels like the neofolk/martial movement is gainning a little bit of momentum at the moment after c. two decades of stagnation. I could certainly do with a revival/re-vitalization of that scene.

Pretty sure all the TMLHBAC albums were reissued on double vinyl last year. All bootlegs, of course...

Did like Blutharsch, and most especially the early industrial stuff, but I agree - TMLHBAC were top class. Triarii were a project that had quite a few 'big hits', and then a certain amount of filler on albums. Who doesn't, eh? But now that you mention it, I haven't listened to their CDs in ages. Saw them live a couple of times, including once with Wappenbund. There was the hint of new material a few years ago, but nothing ever materialised. Maybe now is the time?!! I know Kraschau has a new one this month (more or less a tribute to LJDLP as far as I can gather), and Sturmast announced a new album some time ago, but nothing has surfaced so far. Some of the martial stuff became a bit 'over-produced', and somehow soulless? I think Sophia, for example, lost the touch, as did In Slaughter Natives (although they were prob. more 'industrial' than 'martial'). Anyway, I hope you're right about a resurgence!