{"id":8645,"date":"2022-06-02T20:37:33","date_gmt":"2022-06-02T18:37:33","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/kessel-tamerus.nl\/Esthers_Blog\/?p=8645"},"modified":"2025-11-30T11:49:30","modified_gmt":"2025-11-30T10:49:30","slug":"melanie-mau-martin-schnella-invoke-the-ghosts","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/kessel-tamerus.nl\/Esthers_Blog\/cd-recensie\/melanie-mau-martin-schnella-invoke-the-ghosts\/","title":{"rendered":"Melanie Mau & Martin Schnella \u2013 Invoke The Ghosts"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
\n
\n
\"\"<\/a><\/figure>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n
<\/div>\n\n\n\n
\n
\"\"<\/a><\/figure>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
\n
\n
\"\"<\/a><\/figure>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n
\n
\"\"<\/a><\/figure>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

Melanie Mau & Martin Schnella are getting more and more known in the prog circuit, and that is well deserved. Recently ‘Invoke The Ghosts’ was released, this is the second album on which you can only hear their own compositions. They call their style acoustic metal.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

‘Nur Ein Spiel’ starts with a vocal solo by Melanie. Then Martin joins in and followed by Simon Schr\u00f6der. Their German-language a cappella vocals are well distributed over the headphones. After a rest, a turn follows. There are several layers of acoustic guitar, beautiful percussion and enjoyable details from the bass. The vocals sometimes “go against each other” but the balance remains. The tempo in ‘The Beast Is Lurking’ is high at times. The sound is not just sparkling, light or tender as you usually hear in acoustic music. Certain parts are rousing and surprisingly “heavy.” Just before the end, Mathias Ruck (in the background) lets out some grunts.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Flutes and violin play provide a touch of folk in ‘Soulmate’. The balance between highs and lows is super. The music is complex to play, but at the same time comfortable to listen to. After a pretty fast piece, this song seems to end, but it’s a turn to a quieter part. You can hear the fingers gliding over the strings, the sound is sublime. The tempo picks up again, moments later the sudden end is beautiful. The subdued guitar playing in ‘Where’s My name’ is a wonderful match with Melanie’s voice. It’s about women’s rights in the Middle East. During an instrumental piece there are Arabic influences. Tempo and volume are built up beautifully. In the background there are pleasant details of percussion. Unnoticed, there are quite a few layers in the music. Because you can hear flute playing and the Irish bagpipes, among other things. This flows out to a vocal part, sung with passion, again I am touched.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The songs that follow also have surprising twists and turns. At times the tempo is quite high. The percussion is fantastic. In a number of songs the cello can be heard. Often in the background, so it may not be immediately noticeable. The electric guitar play in ‘Ein Stummer Schrei’ is compelling. The topics of the songs are very diverse, which is why this album sometimes has the ambience of a compilation album. Some lyrics may draw you in more than others. A few songs, such as the fairytale-like ‘Das Goldene K\u00f6nigreich (The Virgin Queen)’ are sung in German, the rest in English. Vocals and music constantly form a unity. ‘Wholeheartedly’ starts with the bright vocals of Melanie, she sings completely solo. Each time a voice is added. During this a cappella song, it’s absolutely clear how perfectly the voices blend. The lyrics may be a little sweet, but what could be more beautiful than unconditional love?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It’s unimaginable what was drawn out of guitars and percussion! Rarely have I heard an acoustic album that sounds so “heavy”. There are also Celtic elements, from the bodhr\u00e1n for example. The cello generally melts into the whole. The intense, emotional sounds that a cello can have, could have been a little more prominent at times. There are so many details and layers that you keep discovering new things. The album definitely needs to grow a little. But ‘Where’s My Name’ came in right away. Because of the cover and album title you might expect an album with a storyline. I am secretly curious what Melanie Mau & Martin Schnella will release in the future. Would it be a concept album? If so, would it be fantasy, or more civilization related items? Whatever the future will bring; for now, I will enjoy ‘Invoke The Ghosts’ often. They have also released this album independently and can be purchased via their Bandcamp page<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

(88\/100) ( Own Management)<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n

\n