Genre: Ritual Dark Ambient

Hexentanz is a new project resulting from the unholy union of two separate established music entities. Hexentanz was created by fusing the medieval and traditional music talents of The Soil Bleeds Black with the ritual dark ambient explorations of Psychonaut 75. Hexentanz has successfully forged the accomplished musicianship of The Soil Bleeds Black with the dark experimentalism of the shadowy Psychonaut 75 with stunning results. This merger blends these two bands talents in a dark and seductive mix of traditional instrumentation and dark ritual ambient sounds ritual in an album centered on the past and present practices of witchcraft and necromancy. Given the individual talent of these two bands and the theme of witchcraft and death magic you would be justified in having high expectations. Hexentanz does not disappoint. Seizing upon interesting subject matter and working in synch the creators of Hexentanz have delivered a ritualistic album of dark rhythmic music accented by archaic chants and soundscapes cultivated in the nether regions.

Hexentanz features the authentic medieval instrumentation and musicianship that has launched The Soil Bleeds Black to its current position of wide acclaim while at the same it features the mysterious ritual sounds that have drawn music listeners to Psychonaut 75. In any union there is always the threat of one element eclipsing the other. When undertaking such a venture a sense of balance often decides whether a project is considered a success or a failure. Hexentanz is a prime example of two musical projects which have found balance whilst complimenting one another's talent. Within the music of Hexentanz the listener is able to feast upon the familiar authentic period instrumentation of The Soil Bleeds Black while hearing the ritualist ambient sounds of Psychonaut 75 in a blending of influences that enhances each bands contribution rather than contrasting these differing elements. Aiding the music is a collection of modern and ancient chants culled from the witchcraft tradition and expertly interpreted and embedded into the music. And if that weren't enough there is even music contained in the CD that was derived by using human bones which lends authenticity to the necromantic elements.

Nekrocrafte begins with the introductory song “Midnight Procession” whose title alludes to the famed and exploited witches Sabbath of the Middle Ages. The song begins with crashing industrial noise before settling into a churning rumble. Medieval stringed instrumentation plays across the vast rumbling sounds and percussive noise loops in the back ground adding a sense of rhythm. The initial strings are joined by an additional layer and the sense of a processional song begins to emerge. The song begins very dark yet festive none the less. A rain stick and chimes join the music adding a ritualistic element that lends a sense of spirituality to the procession. There is a brief interlude in which the strings become a subdued element while the churning rhythmic noise is emphasized. Visions of dancers proceeding in a line while masked and undulating are invoked.

“Mark of the Witch” is the second song on the CD and is one of my personal favorites. The track opens with magnificent acoustic drumming that drives the song and the spirit of the listener. The drumming is dark and seductive and you instantly feel the desire to move to the rhythm. A reverberating electronic sound reminiscent of guitars strings being gently strummed calls out across the music and bells or a gong is sounded in time. The rain stick returns along with dark harshly whispered vocals that chant an undecipherable incantation. The vocals are heavily treated for full chilling effect. The effect is one of hearing a cryptic necromancer calling upon the spirits of the dead. The song has several movements contained within it as it shifts from a driving rhythmic driven track into sections where the rhythm is suspended and the vocals take center stage. Some elements of the song such as the female vocals calling out and wavering in the background have a slight Halloween feeling but if you aren't a die hard occultist with strict ideas of what is appropriate the music is quite effective.

“Bringer of the Lucifirian Flame” is the seventh song on the album and Hexentanz invokes a definitive medieval feeling that traces the roots of witchcraft back to the Middle Ages. The song begins with eerie high pitched drones that become infected with what sounds like tambourine or bells. This rather mellow introduction is quickly overtaken by explosive tribal drumming and male liturgical chanting that is performed flawlessly. Cymbals and various rhythmic elements enter the song making for an amazing composition. The singing and drums break about two minutes into the song and give way to sinister whispered and distorted chanting before returning to the drum driven hedonism. The song is ritualistic and sensual. At the three minute mark spoken word incantations enter followed by a children's choir that merges elements of the profane with the Lucifirian elements. You can really feel the music and the magic seeping through “Bringer of the Lucifirian Flame.” With an open mind and an active imagination you will be utterly devoured by “Bringer of the Lucifirian Flame.”

Nekrocrafte is an incredibly original album and I applaud both bands for such a well produced album that incites the imagination and captivates the spirit of the listener. Not being a hardcore occultist though having personal roots in occultism I found the album to be fiercely enjoyable. Hexentanz has united the worlds of medieval and traditional music with the vast domain of ritual ambient music in a union befitting its creators. I have played this album allot and it has grown on me with each listen. If you like to dance and undulate to darkly exotic sounds of ritualistic magic and necromancy you have found your soundtrack. I look forward to hearing what this duo produces next.