Oakleaf - Grünes Herz
Obscure neo-folk project from Dresden, having (almost) most of their recordings on this single tape, 1 hour and 20 minutes long. Described on Discogs as an act with a focus on personal struggle, spirituality, and violence. 2 small cassette mini-albums, a floppy disc, one split, and then this limited 50 copies cassette compilation. Containing about 38 songs! Released on the Greek label Γουρζουλάς.
First track on the A-side called Intro, works as an intro, offcourse. Melancholic sound of atmospheric acoustic guitar strings, well played and played intriguingly.
The second track, Odal, really sets the neo-folk mood, being much more primitive and simple than acts like Forseti and Dark Wood. A bit closer to early Sol Invictus. Simple acoustic guitars, a low-fi drum machine, a synth, and a moaning ghost-voice functioning as the vocalist.
The third track, "Branches," has that angst-ridden old post-punk feel to it (early Cure/4AD). Minimalistic, moody, and skeletal with a murky autumn touch to it. Really imagining those skeletal trees without the leaves on a dark night in the woods, offcourse, with a fog creeping through the trees.
The fourth track is called Harvest. The sound of rings on a chain, dry branches being stepped on, and a really cool-sounding, distorted, and haunting guitar tune playing alongside an acoustic one aswell.
We flip the cassette and continue with the B-side. Starting with the track called Lichtmess/Mountain Madness. A semi-electronic and very interesting ritualistic piece, icy to the touch. A gong there, distorted synth-work, bass-drones... very murky, cold piece. Ends with additional folk guitar work.
The second track, Blätterdach, is also interesting. Sound of frogs croaking, an eerie violin, chimmering bells, and some distant birds chirping. Sort of seductive and scary, like the myth of the Scandinavian Nøkken. A water-living troll that can conjure an image of a beautiful white horse drinking water at the lake, and some curious person will try 2 get in contact with it, and ends up being dinner for the Nøkken. I kind of thought about that when I heard this track. Nice kind of druidic/pagan feel to it all.
The third track Wildermann continues with the murkiness of the wild nature. Really enjoy the folksy violin here, has that kind of Aghast sound to it. Brilliant horror synth going on here aswell, early Scoopy Doo Theramin?
Grünes Herz (Green Heart) is not a green heart, but a black one. Buried in decayed soil on a piece of land where nothing will or can grow, rotted leaves and dead trees scatter the very land. Post punk-ish Neo folk for those who are tired of well-polished (and traditional) neo folk. Harsh neofolk for sadcore and funeral-doom lovers? Worth the listen, very perfect for the coming cold autumn!
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