Although they recently gone through a line up change with violinist Milena Kluz taking the lead over the former vocalists Natalia Sikora, Poland’s Symphonic Metal outfitAt the Lakedebut album “Maya” offers a nice formula that includes in their sound “Gothic, Folk and Celtic music”. Even if “it has been done before “Maya” it all sounds very natural and not gimmicky or forced”. Do you fancy for some good symphonic metal? 

(via At the Lake – “Mäyä” (2012) « Femme Metal Webzine)

(@lisahband) Who loves the folk music mixed with pop influenced should check out the second album by the Irish singer-songwriterLisa Hannigan“Passengers”. Previously known for being the partner in crime (both in public and private life) of Blur’s Damien Rice, after seven years “the singer decided to start her own solo career and” in 2008 she’s released “Sea Sew”. “Passengers”, her follow up, although “it is a classic record, there is no very much innovation, it shows how emotional Lisa can be and her elegance in choosing arrangements”. Waiting for the next album we simply recommend this “soulful record for your quieter moments”.

(via Lisa Hannigan – “Passengers” (2011) « Femme Metal Webzine)

(@mediaevalbaebes) After the interview it cometh the review. UK’s Classical/Folk ensamble Mediaeval Baebes (Official) latest [double] album “The Huntress” was defined by Davide simply “a long trip in the folklore of distant lands”. As our reviewer has stated later - “At times I even felt the sensation of being brought back in the past, in the courtyard of a medieval castle. I was sitting in front of a big fire and there were some girls dancing in front of it and they sang in chorus”. The particularity of this ensamble is the utilize of different languages and “often their songs are nothing more than poems accompanied with the sweet melody of an harp, a violin, a flute, a flute and some low percussions”. 

(via Mediæval Bæbes – “The Huntress” (2012) « Femme Metal Webzine)

(@mediaevalbaebes) It’s time for a [musical] digression with the UK classical/folk ensamble Mediaeval Baebes (Official) that features in its ranks Pythia’s Emily Alice Ovenden too. But this time we have had the chance [or better Alessandra had] to interview its core member/founder Katharine Blake. In this interesting interview Katharine has explained the whole lyrical concept behind their latest album “The Huntress” and particularly the singer states that “there is a strong theme of female energy represented on this album through the symbolism of the moon and the huntress”. “The Huntress” is a double CD and when Katherine is questioned about the reason of such tracklist she said : “We have represented the duality with the concept of the double album, the first CD being more earthy and folk in feel, and the second CD taking on a more esoteric and classical tone”. But the fact that striked the most Alessandra was the utilize of different languages [such as the “Mediaeval Latin, Middle English, Modern English, Mediaeval Irish and Arabic”] and, with facility, Katharine admits that “I don’t find it difficult to sing in all these languages. It takes a bit of learning, but it is incredibly rewarding to sing and compose in all these varied tongues.”

(via Katharine Blake – Mediæval Bæbes « Femme Metal Webzine)

Prepared to be slashed with some very good folk metal, from Hungary comes Dalriada, they were already featured in our webzine with their last album “Igeret”, now it’s time to focus on the brand new album, the 7th in their career, called “Napisten Nava”. As every folk metal album worthy of its name the lyrics are sung in its local language so “all the lyrics on “Napisten Hava” are sung in their native Hungarian”. But despite this little linguistic “obstacle” we can only agree when Tony states that “music is definitely universal”. Wrapping up, our reviewer prophesies “Dalriada has the potential to become one of the leading bands in the genre”.

(via Dalriada – “Napisten Hava” (2012) « Femme Metal Webzine)

Switzerland’s Eluveitie doesn’t any further introduction so without ado we present you this latest release called “The Early Years” that, as Tony states, “is a great way to delve into the beginnings of this band and older fans may be interested in the re-recorded versions of older material” because ” “The Early Years” is a re-recording of their rare “Ven” EP; and next 11-songs is their debut album “Spirit” which has been re-mastered”. In the end, with this platter the folk metallers are not offering anything new but “this is an interesting package for fans old and new”. 

(via Eluveitie – “The Early Years” (2012) « Femme Metal Webzine)

Not so much time ago Matteo got the chance to review “Intet Menneskebarn”, the stellar debut album by Danish Nordic Folk metallers Huldre. Matteo was so mesmerized by it that he decided to interview their singer Nanna. Huldre’s lyrics and music, as Matteo noticed, focus on the Nordic nature and folkore and Nanna, on this topic, stated “I think we now in our culture seem far away from living near and with the unspoiled nature, but some people, me included, seeks back to the mystique and spirit of the nature with both the heathen and old folklore belief”. Also, despite being the lead singer, Nanna is a busy bee because she’s “the leadsinger in two other bands, Gny with medieval/folkmusik and Asynje with new and inspired Viking/ folk/electronic”. So be sure to check out these musical projects. In the end, if you love Korpiklaani & Co, you should check out this promising band.  

(via Nanna Barslev – Huldre « Femme Metal Webzine)

From Norway comes Phaedra, the musical project by the singer-songwriter, painter, photographer Ingvild Langgård. In 2011, Phaedra has published its debut called “The Sea” that was out via Rune Grammofon and “The Sea” is the first part of what will be a trilogy. The musical style proposed here can be identified as a “psychedelic folk” with “dreamy and bucolic atmosphere”. As Luisa has written: “The vocals are always present and make everything very suggestive; Ingvild Langgård has been able to focus on beauty more than on technique” and simply it describes “A creative and precious debut”.

(via Phaedra – “The Sea” (2011) « Femme Metal Webzine)

We have already talked about Russian Slavic Folk industrial metal band RISHA with the reviews of the EP “Dorozhenka” and the full-lenght “Leto” a while ago now instead it’s time to delve into their musical offer with a nice INTERVIEW in company of Rishafox (vocals & bass) and Ostrav (guitars & programming). Read more about at (via Irina “Rishafox” Lvova & Andy Ostrav – Risha « Femme Metal Webzine)

Do you love Norway and its magical landscapes? So you should give a try to the “Havdøgn” EP by Dark Folk duo Havnatt (that is composed by Tom Simonsen and Cecilie Langlie both members of the Norwegians metal bands Omit and Vagrant God). This EP was released via their private label Secret Quarters and it is a re-release “of their 2006 EP which was commissioned to the band by Skagestad family, with the addition of two completely new tracks”. So do you like mesmerizing acoustic guitar passages and enchanting vocals? Just simply read this REVIEW clicking in the link below 

(via Havnatt – “Havdøgn” EP (2012) « Femme Metal Webzine)