SALTATIO MORTIS – Das Schwarze Einmaleins

 

Band:  SALTATIO MORTIS

Album: Das Schwarze Einmaleins

Record Label: Napalm Records

Release Date: 16th August 2013

Reviewed By: Mark Booth

Standout Tracks:  “Früher War Alles Besser“, “Der Kuss”, “My Bonnie Mary” & “Idol”

 

Up next in the German invasion on my senses is Saltatio Mortis with their 9th album “Das Schwarze Einmaleins” (which have all been released on Napalm Records, therefore they are stalwarts). I had actually heard of Saltatio Mortis and heard they played Medieval Metal. Now I know medieval metal (or Mittelalter-Metal as it is known in Germany) is popular in Germany and has not really taken off anywhere else. I had only heard stuff by In Extremo and Schelmish who play with just bagpipes, drums, violins, flutes etc. Basically the music you would expect to hear in Henry VIII’s court. Now I like history and even dabble in role-play games, hence my admiration for power metal and the heroic stories they tell. So could an album of basically medieval folk music hold my attention?

 

Well I must admit Saltatio Mortis are quite interesting, even though they only sing in German. With Germany being the biggest fan base for Mittelalter Metal why would you alienate them? However this is some catchy music and worth a listen, I know some people will be put off as they don’t sing in English but their loss. Now this isn’t like the stuff I have heard by In Extremo and Schelmish as Saltatio Mortis use the electrical instruments (guitar, bass, chapman stick etc) as the base for the medieval music and the bagpipes, shawms, uillean pipes, hurdy gurdy and so on as the musical force!  A major nod has to go to the vocalist Alea der Bescheidene who brings everything together with his vocal range and passion. Saltatio Mortis are a breath of fresh air and were a welcome relief to these German bombarded ears.

 

To put it in simple terms think early Dropkick Murphy’s traditional Irish songs but sung in German! That is a very basic pigeon hole and one I wouldn’t commit to, however if someone who didn’t know much about music asked then that is a way I would describe Saltatio Mortis! Or even as Rammstein but with a traditional mix instead of industrial. In my opinion Saltatio Mortis would be bigger than Rammstein if in their live shows they use giant cocks, dildos and pyrotechnics as they write and produce better music. However I don’t make up the entire music loving population!!!

 

So if you want some catchy music that will keep you entertained and nodding your head along to while drinking your cold beer from your stein and putting the world to right with your compatriots, then I would recommend Saltatio Mortis to you! Also become bilingual and learn German so you can sing along to the choruses…unless you already know German then sing along you fool.

 

SCORE – 7/10

 

Track Listing:

1.  Früher war alles besser

2.  Wachstum über alles

3.  Krieg kennt keine Sieger

4.  Der Kuss

5.  My Bonnie Mary

6.  Sandmann

7.  Satans Fall

8.  Idol

9.  IX

10. Galgenballade

11. Abrakadabra

12. Nur ein Traum

13. Randnotiz