The Spanish combo Sangre De Muerdago does exist for about a decade, and they became quite an important name within the European (Neo) Folk scene in mean time. Several of their former releases, like the mighty split with Novemthree, are sort of ‘popular’ by the (underground) scene, but one of their strengths for sure is the soberness and integrity, which makes their approach somewhat distinctive from the main part of the genre.
With O Camiño Das Mans Valeiras they go a step further with their Galician Forest Folk. Pablo Ursusson turned this newest effort into a mostly personal, somewhat emotional experience, caused (or is it ‘inspired’) by the loss of a family member. He and his crew created almost two hands full of totally acoustic atmospheres, both magic and mystic, lasting for just over fifty minutes.
In a sense, there’s something magical when listening to the (short) instrumental opening track De Terra A Madeira. It surely has to do with the sound of wind / thunder at the very beginning, but the fine combination of violin and acoustic guitar immediately convinces. The band makes use of several ‘traditional’ instruments too, besides violin, viola and acoustic guitars, such as nyckelharpa, hurdy-gurdy and flute. Besides all these, I need to mention the dual vocals (female + male, very integer evidently) and occasional percussions, and the sound, which is rich and full, yet at the same time introvert, modest, tranquillizing.
I am not that intensively trusted with this specific sub-genre of Neo-Folk, but I think it isn’t that stupid if I would refer to bands / project like Nebelung or In Gowan Ring, to give you an idea. Though, especially the latter has more variation, which is something I do miss right here. O Camiño Das Mans Valeiras starts very promising, but after a while it might be difficult to stay alert (unless you are so deeply ‘fan’ of this kind of Music).
FYI 1: earlier this year, Sangre De Muerdago self-released a compilation with material that sold out or that is hard to get, compiled under the moniker of Lembranzas Dende O Lado Salvaxe.
FYI 2: also interesting, for vinyl-fans: O Camiño Das Mans Valeiras has been released in several editions, both the ‘normal’ black one as well as a marbled one; but hurry up because the latter almost sold out!
FYI 3: rather strange is that the album wasn’t recorded somewhere in Galicia, yet in the Thüringer woods.