THANATEROS „On Fragile Wings”

Echozne & Bob-Media Distribution

Music: Folk Gothic Metal
Website:
http://www.thanateros.net/
https://www.facebook.com/thanateros.music
https://echozone.bandcamp.com/album/on-fragile-wings
Duration: 57:44 (12 tracks)
Country: Germany

My first meeting with the music of German goths from THANATEROS took place while listening to the previous album “Insomnia”. Then their music totally touched my emotions (especially remembering that in the 90s of the last century I listened to lot of gothic-metal bands), and the more that THANATEROS weaves folk inclusions into their music, most often inspired by the folk of Western Europe in the form of melodic, sad sounds of instruments strings and flutes.

In turn, this time, having some experience and expectations, I received the newest album “On Fragile Wings” less emotionally and with more deliberation… Of course, the style of THANATEROS remained unchanged. It is still original Gothic Metal with lots of folk melodies (melancholic, sad, very catchy), with dynamic guitars (full of heavy riffs as well as clean passages and melodies), as well as clear bass parts and with clean, deep or hoarse, melodious vocals. (often very emotional, even at times full of pathos)… Not only the melodies have changed. Almost every track has a specific main melody that is developed by guitar solos or string melodies. In addition, there were clear electronic samples and sounds of nature, and in two songs there was the accompanying female singing of Johanna Krins (clear, calm, sometimes touching), as well as incidentally there are predatory growlings and screams (even polyphonic), or various dark melodeclamations. Likewise, this time each track has some characteristic vocal refrain. But also beyond this dark and melancholy atmosphere, at times, a kind of mystical mood appeared.

The bonus track is a cover of the song “Running Up That Hill” by singer KATE BUSH, which is considered to be one of her greatest hits, so THANATEROS were neither the first, nor the only one, as there are already known versions of PLACEBO and WITHIN TEMPTATION. In any case, the arrangement of THANATEROS fits very well with the overall album, making this song as dark melodic gothic-metal song.

The album “On Fragile Wings” brings very atmospheric compositions that grab the heart tightly, and their melodies easily catch the ear, lift you up, let you fall into some oblivion… Although at times the music can also show its claw and scratch, hit, tug and shake quite a bit. However, after a while it draws you into melancholy again or brings relief, or even encourages you to dance or pogo.

Tracklist:
1. Kybalion (Time to Fly)
2. Burn
3. On the Barricades
4. Coven of the Drowned
5. Passengers
6. Black Forest Calling
7. We Are the Ravens
8. Source of It All
9. Solitude
10. Fading
11. Nothing Lasts Forever
Bonus track:
12. Running Up That Hill (KATE BUSH cover)

Line-up:
Ben Richter – Vocals
Chris „Chrys” Ryll – Bass
Chris Lang – Guitars
Christof Uhlmann – Violin
Marcus Felber – Drums

Rate: 8.0/10

Home: Parczew (Poland). Interests / Hobbies: music, musical journalism, oriental studies, anthropology, psychology, medicine, sociology. Favourite music genres: first of all the all genres of Metal, Hardcore and Progressive Rock as well as Gothic, Ambient, Classical Music, Ethnic Music, Sacred Music, Choral Music, Soundtracks, New Age Music, Folk Music i sometimes Jazz, Electro, Experimental or Alternative Music... He co-founded magazine & webzine Born To Die'zine as Gnom.
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