Genre: Martial Industrial / Martial Orchestral

Wappenbund has established a wide cult following throughout Europe while the bands music has remained difficult to obtain within the USA. The bands reputation for creating mature and cultured martial industrial music has become well established within the martial industrial scene even though the bands label Greyland Records remains quite obscure in terms of promotion and marketing. Though Greyland has not entered the market place with splashy ads and lot of publicity the label has none the less garnished deep respect and a wide following by those who have had the opportunity to experience their published music.

“Kinder Des Lichtes” has been announced as the last album to be released by Wappenbund pending the bands demise as well as the last official release from the bands parent label Greyland Records which has also announced that it will be ceasing production. For those of us arriving late to this phenomenon it is the last chance to sample one of the best kept secrets in the martial industrial music as well as the last chance to secure what will undoubtedly become a widely sought collector’s item. “Kinder Des Lichtes” follows Wappenbund’s previous releases "Zeitenwende" and "Preußen" and the EP's "Blood & fire" and "Zurück in der Heimat". “Kinder Des Lichtes” is themed around a genetic medical disorder called tomentally also known as Williams Syndrome which affects children at birth causing drastic birth defects. This theme is illustrated with vintage photographs displayed on the CD’s packaging of children suffering this genetic disorder.

“Kinder Des Lichtes” begins with a rousing introductory track titled “Flammen.” “Flammen” begins with a rusty industrial drone that shifts pitch several times before a single drum strike effects a change in the composition. Following the drum strike the industrial drone fades as orchestral music gently builds with the accompaniment of female operatic vocals. The female voice follows the lead of the orchestration as drums return slowly pounding out a tenuous beat. The atmosphere conjured is one of trepidation as the music invokes a sense of anticipation and tension. Additional operatic vocals join the initial female voice while the industrial static crunches through the background adding a foreboding tone to the otherwise darkly grandiose music. The industrial drone and martial drums takes a prominent role once more as the orchestration retreats leading the listner to believe that the song is nearing conclusion. Then with expert timing and skill Wappenbund reinstates the orchestration and original female vocals in a subtle and unexpected come back. The music drives softly towards exalted heights as the female vocals lend suffering to an already beautifully distressed composition. The music plants hooks deep in the flesh of the listener’s heart pulling you ever deeper into the sadness and unspoken tragedy. The music cycles once again returning to a mock finale before bursting forth into a bombastic anthem of agony and splendor. “Kinder Des Lichtes” ends with an unraveling of its elements and a small vintage speech clip inserted at the end.

“Andacht (Finale)” is the third song on “Kinder Des Lichtes.” “Andacht (Finale)” is one of the more subdued tracks on the album as it strives to thoroughly immerse the listner in darkest anguish that Wappenbund can muster. “Andacht (Finale)” begins with orchestral ambience that communicates a sacral feeling. This ambience is quickly overtaken by the signature industrial static ridden drone heard at the beginning of the album. Just as the static begins to smother the opening ambience the female soprano vocals return singing in lengthy waves of singular notes. Lethargic drums beat a lonely rhythm behind the music as the industrial drone contorts and convulses as if being choked and throttled. The music once again brings together impressions of beauty, suffering, agony and the sacred. The music makes you feel as if you are bearing witness to the slow decline and eventual demise of the tomentally children. “Andacht (Finale)” inspires images of deformed children caught in time long ago before medicine and science could understand their tragic condition. Their fates are unknown as they stare back at you from the CD booklet but with a little contemplation it is easy to come to the conclusion that many of these children suffered adverse fates. Most likely the lucky amongst them found their way into carnival freak shows which is upsetting in itself.

Track four titled “Frieda (Dein sind die Rosen)” sees Wappenbund deliver another stunning track of industrial tinged martial orchestral music. The composition begins with a choir singing ethereally as if giving voice to some form of spiritual illumination. The choir is abruptly interrupted by defiant martial drumming that pounds out of the speakers with blind authority. The choir can still be heard beneath the drums as classical orchestration begins to drift across the song. The orchestration is very cinematic and recalls movie soundtracks like Lawrence of Arabia. The drumming remains the leading element as Wappenbund weaves the music through various sensual tides engaging the listener’s emotion and sympathies while simultaneously delivering an uncompromising militaristic feeling. The music inspires feelings akin to young soldiers marching to war while undaunted and indifferent couples spin about in fine attire while dancing on a classical ballroom floor filled with bourgeois and chandeliers. This recipe of combining martial sensibilities with the grandeur of neoclassical orchestration is performed with a grace that defies description.

It is a sad affair that Wappenbund has departed the postindustrial music arena along with Greyland Records. Those of us living in the sates have just recently had the opportunity to secure copies of Wappenbund material via Ominous Drone mail-order service. Wappenbund’s departure closes a chapter in post-industrial music that was in my opinion all too brief. I recommend “Kinder Des Lichtes” with the greatest enthusiasm to fans of martial industrial music. Wappenbund excels as combing industrial tones with martial orchestration with a magnitude comparable to A Challenge of Honour or Predella Avant. Seize the opportunity to secure a copy of Wappenbund’s final offering which will certainly become a legendary album in the genre.