Leger Des Heils - Licht

After almost fourteen years of activity, Leger Des Heils already became classics of the neofolk genre. They released a huge amount of material in different formats, CDs and vinyls mostly through Eis & Licht label that became history during 2010. The new album of this German based formation arrives right in time when the storm and rain are so strong outside and a good music so desperately needed to accompany cold and dank evenings.

What do we receive with 'Licht' is a straight neofolk album with some martial elements. The main accent is made on guitar passages of course, but the certain set of other acoustical instruments presents there as well, accordion, cello, piano, violins; all of them contribute their part to create nine emotional ballads. What I truly love with their mixture is that every element has its own proportions; the music is not overloaded with unnecessary information and the complexity of it has the specific border. The martial component is felt strongly in most of the tracks because of the drumming session that injects the special rhythm into the songs. Tragedy and melancholy are all around, but not that kind of melancholy that pulls you into depression, but the one that makes you stronger, forces you to analyze the past and present, making remarks for your future deeds.

Most of the songs have German lyrics though there are few with English sang material; male vocals certainly lead the way, but a little injection of female support can be heard here and there. A chilly wind of sadness and loss blows out of the tracks like "Adieu" and "Peaceful Hours" while "Geweihtes Land" and "Sacrum" compensates melancholy with pride and strength of a tempered heart.

The feelings raised by Leger Des Heils through 'Licht' are positive and healthy in general while the music is charged with a high professional craftsmanship carrying an emotional impulse that is such significant to all the works of Leger Des Heils. Personally, I don't think that this album will make too much noise on the scene being a quite easy listening piece, straight and without any specific highs and lows compared to the high standards set during last 10 years. But I am sure that it will find its faithful listener for a few hours of a solid non-binding commitment. Feb 05 2013