Ignis Fatuu
Neue Ufer

November 2011
Released: 2011, Trollzorn / SMP Records
Rating: 4.0/5
Reviewer: Theis Rytoft

Ignis Fatuu produces a very appealing folk metal sound with NEUE UFER. Most tracks are very dynamic and catchy. Especially the catchiness is one of the key features on this album as it appears in almost every single track. There are both female and male vocals singing throughout the album; also in conjunction where I think all of them, as there seem to be several different male vocals for example, make a good performance.
One specific strength of NEUE UFER is the way the instruments have been put together in the compositions but also the variety of them.



The atmosphere is a very calm and folkish one. Not like most of the material from bands such as Eluveitie and Finntroll with their elements from other metal sub-genres. NEUE UFER is pure folk but also tends to be “too folkish”. By that I mean how some of it, even for a folk lover as me, is almost “too soft.” I need a bit more edge to the music; a bit more guitar, bass or drumming wouldn’t hurt! But the music is still very beautiful in many aspects with the combinations or structuring of more traditional sounds.

In contrast to the positive elements a downside is how some songs lack distinctive “characteristics”. It tends to get a bit blurry at times and even uninteresting in some songs such as “Wenn nicht ich, wer dann”.



To conclude, NEUE UFER is a very-well crafted album. It might “scare” some metal listeners with its soft tunes but I am sure that folk listeners will enjoy this piece of music.