Tales of Ithiria

Tales of Ithiria is the fourth studio album by the Munich classical medieval metal band Haggard. It appeared after several postponements of the release date on 29 September 2008, four years after the last album.

All songs and narrator intermediate pieces with the exception of the musical interlude by Hans Wolf and the traditional Spanish legend Hijo de la luna written by Asis Nasseri. The total length of the CD is just over 43 minutes. It is the first album where Haggard is not writing about historical backgrounds, but through the self- created fantasy world Ithiria.

Genesis

In December 2005, proclaimed the label Drakkar that a new Haggard album in the works and was the band would soon enter the studio. As of mid- 2006, the first recordings took place in Burghaslach in Roth Recording Studio. Previously made ​​suggestions that a concept album was planned with a specially written for the album history, were confirmed. The employees of the still active at that time drummer Mike Terrana Rage was announced. The label indicated that the new album might appear in 2006 and 2007 were already dates for a tour known, with which the new album should be advertised. In early 2007 the planned tour was postponed without giving replacement dates. As release date of the album of the summer was called in 2007, but moved in July into next year. On the band's own website Asis Nasseri published a letter in which he stated that he had estimated the time necessary for the design of the concept is something wrong. Nevertheless, there were 2007 at the Wacken Open Air, a first taste. End of May 2008, the album was finally ready for the mastering process, three weeks later, the completion was announced and was first mentioned in a concrete date for the publication with the 29th August. In the following weeks as cover art, track list and planned tour were gradually more details are known to the album.

Finally, Tales of Ithiria appeared on 29 August 2008 and increased in both Germany as the Switzerland in the first week after publication in the charts. With number 37 in the charts, it was the highest ever chart success for an album of the band.

Ithiria

Ithiria is a fantasy realm, where it is basically about the struggle between good and evil. Occurring fairytale characters are human, elves, dwarves, unicorns, trolls, witches, magicians and many more. Various characters are incorporated into the narratives, such as the farmer's son Edris, the Slayer Sveldja, the commander Grimmbart, King and Queen Gildeon Hildreth, the upright smith Giswald, the Witch and the mighty warrior Myrgjoll Hunvald. The figures Ithiria before the final subjugation try to preserve. The story was entirely developed by Asis Nasseri, who has also written a book.

Music style

On this album, Death Metal, Classical and Medieval Metal elements are represented as its predecessors, but it is designed more versatile. What, for example, the melancholy legend " Hijo de la Luna " proves that is as typical of Haggard such as " Mr. Mannelig ", where it was designed both classic and typical metal. In addition to the female vocal ranges and old mezzo-soprano, all other represented, namely so bass, baritone, tenor and soprano. This vocal diversity is enhanced by Mike Terrana, of the epics Ithirias lent his voice in the short text spacers as narrator. The change between English, German, Latin and Spanish passages is as typical as the different tones of voice, the singer for Haggard.

Reception

Most reviews were rather ambiguous nature. Critics complained that the music despite a waiting period of four years, nothing new offer and at very ähnle the previous albums. The album was ("In the king's halls " with no narrative passages and the purely classical instrumented interlude ) relatively short sized and not working on the already known from the previous albums shortcomings in terms of metal sound through its pure play time of 36 minutes. However, the classical arrangements and songs are in the usual Haggard good quality. The music could any fantasy movie soundtrack to compete.

Title list

Musician

Occupation

  • Asis Nasseri (Guitar, Grunts, vocals)
  • Luz Marsen (drums)
  • Claudio Quarta ( Electric Guitar)
  • Andreas Nad ( bass)
  • Su Ehlers (soprano )
  • Veronika Kramheller (soprano )
  • Hans Wolf ( piano, organ, harpsichord )
  • Judith Marshall (violin)
  • Michael Stapf (violin)
  • Ally Storch (violin)
  • Steffi Hertz ( Viola)
  • Patricia King ( cello)
  • Anna Batke (flute)
  • Johannes Schleiermacher (cello )
  • Ivica Kramheller (violin)
  • Florian Bartl (oboe)
  • Michael Schumm ( Timpani, Bells, classical percussion )
  • Andreas Fuchs ( Corno )
  • Mark Pendry ( clarinet)
  • Mike Terrana ( narrator)
  • Dieter Roth ( guitar)
  • Lulyta Garza (vocals in " Hijo de la Luna" )
  • Michael Gründel (Tenor)
  • Sylvia Lindauer (soprano )
  • Konrad Naegeli (guitar)
  • Julia Schweigger (flute)
  • Mathias Kirchgeßner (guitar)
  • Rebecca Faviola (harp)
  • Pre- Thiria Orchestra
Haggard (Band) Record label Genre Eppur Si Muove Rage (Band) Audio mastering Herr Mannelig Bass (voice type) Singing Crumhorn
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