Album Review: Excelsis - Vo Chrieger u Drache

Metal fans probably know some of these legendary bands from Switzerland, like «Krokus», «Celtic Frost» and «Coroner», maybe younger fans also «Eluveitie», one of the leaders of the current folk metal bands. But why do you know «Highness» from the Swiss Kriegsstetten not a sow? That's impossible! The self-proclaimed Dragonslayers have been making the mountains unsafe since 1996 and if you don't know this band, something really slips through your fingers! «Highness» presented their seventh album «Vo Chrieger u Drache» this summer, which in terms of folk metal can easily keep up with the upper regions. Excelsis are a bit idiosyncratic and their trademarks are metal with instruments such as bagpipes, «Bäseknopfe» or recorder and lyrics, some of which are written in dialect. With "Vo Chrieger u Drache" this is only limited to parts of the songs and about half of the song titles - nevertheless Excelsis are probably the most Celtic of the Swiss metal bands next to Eluveitie. The guys reach a level that I haven't heard since Manowar. The sound of the current disc is characterized by a contrast between dense metal and the overlying bright special instruments and tells stories in the form of battle songs. So if you like powerful folk/pagan metal with a kick, you've come to the right Swiss address.

The "Vo Chrieger u Drache" album was recorded and mixed in the Iguana Studios by Christoph Brandes and the cover is very well done, as is the whole inner workings of the booklet. In general, the album gives the impression of a lovingly staged work by a completely unique band. «Vo Chrieger u Drache» fits right into the band's concept of medieval folk myths. It is about warriors and dragons, about the founding legend of the town of Burgdorf in the canton of Bern, where the brothers Sintram and Bertram, dukes of Lenzburg in the canton of Aargau, won the fight against the dragon and donated a chapel to thank St. Margareta. The Helvetian bards tell us this saga in their very own way, using a rough, unpolished and non-cheesy variant of folk metal. The introduction, spoken in Bernese German, perfectly attunes to this local history, the lyrics of the songs themselves alternate between English and Bernese German, with the latter often characterizing the anthemic refrains. The «Prologue (of Sintram and Bertram)» is not easy to understand due to the Swiss German, but when «Brothers of War» really goes off in the middle tempo, everything is dry, plus the matching flute sounds and the hymn-like carrying in it Piece makes you want more. The "Druids" are a heroic epic, which is supported with folk instruments and thus knows how to please, especially in the scene the border between kitsch and genius is narrow, but "Excelsis" do it masterfully. The basic direction of the tracks is usually solemn and epic, the band takes their time to tell their story. Instrumentally, we once again encounter the full range of folkloric instruments such as taler wings, bagpipes, harmonica, Jew's harp and flutes, which are perfectly integrated into the metallic robe and so do not push the band a bit into a slouchy corner of the medieval market.

Excelsis - Uechtland (official video 2013)

The squeeze box, also known as the accordion, really stands up to the fast-paced game in "Heathen Princess" at the beginning, then it gets a little quieter before it's top-notch again at a sustained pace. "The Fear" is a small interlude, then "Uechtland" comes along in the typical "Excelsis" manner and spreads a great mood. «Chrieger» is a haunting, heroic-sounding number that comes close to Manowar. The song sluggishly rolls along and exudes its very own charm. At just under nine minutes, the song is also the longest on the disc. When it comes to atmosphere, «Chrieger» can hardly be surpassed. This is followed by "Dragonhole", another such strong, sustaining number, "The Chapel" has a few faster passages and "The Fall of the One" offers another full folk broadside including harmonica. In the up tempo «The Avenger» holds up really outstanding, to let the double bass rotate with «Wissi Bärge». This smashing album ends with the strong «Epilogue» and «Excelsis» have proven that Folk Metal can sound really great and the insider tip should now be followed by a breakthrough. "Excelsis" are a metal band with body and soul, which reminds me of "Grave Digger" in their narrative style and due to the appropriate degree of heaviness and rawness and Münggu's unpolished vocals, but presents itself noticeably more folky melodically and instrumentally. The numerous and varied backing vocals ensure that not only the grater rules, but that the whole range is served, from timid, articulated growls to clear vocals to powerful choirs. The unconventional group can also come up with brilliant solos and razor-sharp, driving riffs, which always find the right balance between metallic heaviness and homely storytelling.

"Excelsis" are reminiscent of bands like "Eluveitie", "Nerthus", "Mithotyn" or "Finntroll". The sound of the current disc is characterized by a contrast between dense metal and the overlying bright special instruments, and the dialect parts keep your ears pricked up and only enrich the sound because you're just not used to it. Münggu (vocals, guitars, bagpipes, mouthharp and whistles), Ädu (keyboards, back. vocals, flutes and whistles), Mäk (bass, harmonica), Rölu (guitars, back. vocals, broom beating) and Küsu (drums, thaler swinging) After years and now seven albums, they know exactly how to grab people. The sound seems uncompromisingly hard, but also offers harmonies and this combination works. They've carved an identity that makes other metal bands the envy of them. Visually, the Bernese have dressed in monk's habit for the current album and thus underline the druid in their music even more. Overall, "Vo Chrieger u Drache" is an experience. It is advisable not just to let «Excelsis» run in the background, but to really get involved with it. The band belongs in the same league as the greats of folk metal, mainly but not only because they indulged in the genre even before it was officially invented. "Vo Chrieger u Drache" is a hammer album that should interest everyone who can even begin to do something with folk metal. "Excelsis" have created something with their concoction "Vo Chrieger u Drache" that should not be missing in any collection or party of genre fans. It's nice how the "Drachätätä" is sung here and you remember the history lessons about brave Swiss who defended their country armed with pitchforks, halberds and Swiss German. This is also a bit of the crux of the matter with Excelsis: vocally, the Swiss are noticeably weaker when they express themselves in English. Why switch to this language when everything in Swiss German sounds much, much better and more independent? The wonderfully melancholic finale in the dark epilogue of the Emmental dragon slayer is also fantastic: "Tell my heart, what more do you know?"

Excelsis - Song 4 - Heathen Princess - 2013

Tracklist:

1. Prologue (of Sintram and Bertram)
2. Brothers of War
3. Druids
4. HeathenPrincess
5. The Fear
6. Uechtland
7. Chrier
8. Dragon hole
9. The Avenger
10. The Fall of the One
11. The chapel
12. Wissi Bärge
13. Epilogue

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