Morgenstern - Fuego

  by Helen Tipping

published: 18 / 11 / 2004

Label: Napalm
Format: CD

intro

Initially promising, but ultimately disappointing new album from German band Morgenstern, which relies too much on the eccentric instrumentation of the Shalmei

This German band comes from Bad Salzungen in Thuringe. On initial hearing they sound potentially very promising. The vocals have the exaggerated guttural sound that you could expect from Rammstein, and their influence can clearly be heard, unsurprising as singer Uli Uhlmann quotes them as being his favourite band.  Yet Morgenstern are also influenced by medieval sounds and German folk music. 'Abgesang', the first track on their new album 'Fuego', opens with medieval keyboard and woodwind, and has a chorus with crashing power chords.  The second track 'Abwarhts' has an instrument that sounds like a kazoo on it, but apparently it's a Shalmei or Crumhorn, At first I thought this was getting interesting especially with the Middle Eastern influence on the keyboards on this particular track. It was, however, not to be. I'm afraid I got a bit fed up with the Shalmei, especially as it sounds so much like a kazoo, I felt it was over used as it appeared on about every single track.  I eventually ended up waiting to see how long with each new song it would take them to introduce it.  This is a great shame, as I liked the unusual influences found on this album, although overall it was a bit too metal for me.   I think the Shalmei could put off other would-be fans who might like this type of music, and they ought to think about using it a bit more sparingly, if at all.

Track Listing:-