Mediæval Bæbes – “The Huntress” (2012)

Label : Queens of Sheba

Review by Davide Torresan

Mediæval Bæbes is a British ensemble of female musicians founded in 1996. The passion for Medieval music is what these girls have in common. You can understand it from the arrangements and the theatricality whereby they propose their music. Often their songs are nothing more than poems accompanied with the sweet melody of an harp, a violin, a flute, a lute and some low percussions.

In their texts they use several languages which are often unknown to some people (me for example) like Gaelic, Cadenet and many more. This feature makes their sound truly unique and original. Mediæval Bæbes boast an highly respectable discography. They even have placed three albums into the top of the classical charts. Their 7th studio album is called “The Huntress”, and it’s a double CD. Continue reading »

Katharine Blake – Mediæval Bæbes

Interview by Alessandra Cognetta

I know we’re a primarily metal-based webzine, but I’m sure all of you are going to appreciate this little detour with the astonishing Mediæval Bæbes. An all-female group of talented artists from the UK, the Bæbes are a must for everyone of you out there who’s even just mildly interested in folk, classical and choral music. Haunting voices and beautiful arrangements supported by lyrics in (not only!) Middle English will take you back to the times of courtly love and ancestral symbolisms. In this interview we meet the founder and core of the group, Katharine, who kindly shared with us insights on their latest (double) album “The Huntress”, singing in different languages, visual elements, dances and much more!

We had a very exciting year last year. Many years of hard work finally paid off with the release of our epic double album “The Huntress”.  Continue reading »

Marta Iacoponi – Repsel

Interview by Si Smith

After the 2007 line-up change of the band’s original 2003 members, the band started writing and composing the first album called “The Double Mask of Human Kind”, released on 8th February 2011. The new album differs completely from the two previous demos called “At the Gates of Arcan” and “Darkness and Confusion” by introducing a new, guitar-oriented sound. “The Double Mask of Human Kind” describes the two faces of war, the hopes and fears of the people living in war zones as well as the sarcastic complacency of the people who lead wars according to their personal economic and political interests. Femme Metal got the chance to talk to Marta Iacoponi, singer and violinist from Repsel.

Thank you, it’s a pleasure to be interviewed by Femme Metal!

Well, Paolo, the drummer, and Lorenzo, the guitar player, are the band’s only remaining founding members. The band had initially another vocalist. I joined the band in 2004 and we started recording our first demo the same year. The line-up remained the same for almost four years, but on October 2007 Giorgio replaced the former guitar player. Soon after, we began working on the new album, “The Double Mask of Human Kind”. The band changed up another time in January 2010. Alessandro, the bass player, was the last to join the band. Continue reading »

Coronatus – “Best of 2007-2011” COMPILATION (2012)

Label : Massacre Records

Review by Tony Cannella

The excellent double female fronted Symphonic Metal band Coronatus has previously released four full length albums – with their first one being released in 2007. Now they have released a digital only best of album titled, “Best of 2007-2011”. Featuring 16-songs and over an hour’s worth of music, “Best Of…” serves as a comprehensive overview of Coronatus’ career thus far.

The track-listing on “Best Of 2007-2011” features a fair cross section of the bands best material taken from each of their albums. The songs are in reverse chronological order beginning with four songs from Coronatus’ latest album “Terra Incognita” which was released in 2011. The two female singers each brings something interesting and unique to the table. The current duo consists of Mareike Makosch who provides more of a rock style and Ada Flechtner who gives us a soprano voice. The melding of the two different styles is one of the best things about Coronatus and gives the songs a huge boost. The bands lyrics are sung in German and English with a touch of Latin as well. The musicianship is also played on a high level and is a perfect complement to the two vocalists and another check in the plus column for Coronatus.

For fans who already own everything that Coronatus has put out, this may not be of much interest, but anyone who would like to sample what this great band has done so far, than “Best of 2007-2011″ is well worth the time. Continue reading »

“Alchemy” by CLIVE NOLAN – studio album out in March, listen to the first promo track !

The recordings of the studio album “Alchemy” have been officially completed and we can now confirm that the double album will be released on March, 4th in Europe and April, 9th in USA. This release will, however, be preceded by the world premiere of “Alchemy” show at the famous Wyspianski Theatre in Katowice, Poland on February 22, 2013, where it will be recorded for the purposes of a DVD to be released by Metal Mind Productions later next year. We can also reveal that the album will be available for purchase at the Theatre prior to the official release date.

And today you can listen to the first promo track taken from the “Alchemy” album. “Street Fight” is available to stream at the official Metal Mind Productions’ channel on YouTube in THIS location.

Continue reading »