Band:	Orplid
Album:	Greifenherz
Style:	Neofolk
Release date:	2008
A review by:	Jeff

01. Falken-Eid I
02. Luzifer
03. Schwertgesang
04. Totenesche
05. Myrmidonenklage
06. Des Sperbers Geheimnis
07. Schlaf Im Mohn
08. Traum Von Blashyrkh
09. Der Anarchist
10. Gesang An Den Horusfalken
11. Falken-Eid II

Prophecy is one of those labels which can give you really original discoveries. I've never heard anything about Orplid before this year but these German veterans of the Neo-Folk scene are famous for what they do and I'm quite sure that their fans were awaiting with a lot of hopes their new production "Greifenherz" (Griffin heart). Orplid is a special band and definitely, you really have to like their music style to enjoy this release but if you're looking for good experimental Neo-Folk, I think that you'll like this new album!

In the past, Oprlid used to be a classic Neo Folk band which used to play its songs with piano, acoustic guitars etc. Lately, the band has chosen to change its sonority and even if they're still into Neo-Folk business, they're a lot more experimental and use a lot more the keyboards and some electronic sounds. Definitely it sounds different because it's a bit electronic and really modern (something which is weird for something "Folk"). On a side it can be really disturbing for someone who is not into experimental music because it's a bit repetitive, extremely minimalist but also really hypnotic. If you have a look at a song like "Myrmidonenklage", you'll be able to see that Orplid can play something really Epic with a great melody and a great chorus but all in all this is also really simple and I don't know how and why, this is really elaborate in the end.

The lyrics are in German so if you cannot stand German vocals it should be really problematic for you. It's a bit weird that's right but on the other hand it fits perfectly to the cold modern atmosphere of the album. The production of "Greifenherz" is really good and actually the only problem of this release is that it's something for the fans only. I doubt that someone who is into complex music will enjoy this release, this is just too minimalist too elitist to be listened by a lot of people. But hey if you like weird stuff, you'll maybe like "Greifenherz" after all!

"Greifenherz" features good songs in the genre so if you like the previous releases of the German combo you'll probably like this album. Remember however that it's not easy of access and that you have to like "Indus" sounds to enjoy this release. Have a look at it, I think that "Greifenherz" is one of those album which can be fully enjoyed or totally hated so just try it and you'll see in which camp you'll be!