First limited edition in 6-panel Digipak with special cover-print in ‘glow in the dark’ ink, 2 exclusive Bonus-Tracks and special 28 page booklet! Beyond the edge of the world In 1992, a newly founded band project swept the moldy dust layers off the medieval music scene forever with only one club hit. “Ad Mortem Festinamus“ of the Llibre Vermell de Montserrat, a collection of late medieval songs from the 14th century, amazed the audience not by an authentic performance on historical instruments, but with an innovative reinterpretation using electronic sound spheres.
Powerful beats and impellent synthesizer pads in harmonic interplay with the engaging mezzo-soprano Sigrid „Syrah“ Hausen captivated dance floor enthusiasts as well as discriminating music lovers. Early music has never been more vivid and is being defined in a completely new way by the trio Qntal. The year 2014 though marks the beginning of a new creative period for Qntal. So far, Sarah "Mariko" Newman supported the band only at live performances, but as of now will be integral part of the line-up. New electronic magus will be Leon Rodt, substituting Philipp “Fil” Groth from now on at the keys and supporting the band as empathetic producer. Furthermore, for the first time in the history of the group, Michael Popp will appear as singer. The seventh studio album – again simply entitled „Qntal VII“ – is ushering in the third era for Qntal and, despite all changes, still remains true to the original virtues. Sensitivity and expertise guide these musicians on their approach to centuries-old lyrics and melodies.
Transformed into modern arrangements, lyrics and melodies alike are reanimated virtuousically. Gracious artistry connects with danceable, catchy sounds, always committed to the historical momentousness of the original piece. Alongside medieval sources such as the song manuscript Carmina Burana, the theologian Meister Eckhart, the minnesinger Heinrich von Morungen or the ars nova composer Guillaume de Machaut, Qntal now also advance as far as to the 17th, 18th and 19th century. For instance, the enchanting poem „By The Light Of The Moon“ by the British poet Lord Byron is just as well transformed into a dignified piece of musical art as the “Tyger” by the nature mystic William Blake. Romanticism thus is not only soundwise an integral part of the album, but also pervades with melancholic dreaminess its lyrics.
With the title “Schnee” [“Snow”] the album “VII” dares even to enter the present: fantasy author Markus Heitz, known for his Dwarves and Alfa novels, excogitated this ode to the “eternal night”. But regardless of which century the lines originate from, either 12th or 21st, Qntal always succeeds to let the essence resound in their songs – multifaceted, formidable and touching. No wonder that these unique avant-gardists play at classical events, such as the cloister concerts at the Walkenried Abbey, the “Landshuter Hofmusiktagen” [court music festival] or the European Church Music Festival as well as at medieval festivals or independent events such as the Amphi-Festival or the renowned Wave-Gotik-Treffen [Wave-Gothic-Meeting] at Leipzig. The opuses of Qntal are universal and timeless, permitting a glance beyond the edge of the world.
Click here for tickets to see Qntal in Belgium at Black Easter Festival.
