Dunkelgraue Lieder by Allerseelen

released May 3, 2024

Allerseelen - Dramatis personae:

Bass: Marcel P., Gerhard Hallstatt
Vocals: Sabinita, Andreas Maurer, Gerhard Hallstatt
Violin, violin arrangements: Eugene Voronovsky
Violin: Meri Tadic (Ob auch mein Herz so funkelt)
Tonkunst: Gerhard Hallstatt, Marcel P. (Wolfslied)
Mastering: Soundtempel Studio
Photographs: Gerhard Hallstatt
Artwork: Aorta / Indiestate


Dunkelgraue Stille (2010) and Nur noch Asche (2010) were published as Allerseelen remixes for the Agalloch DoCD Whitedivisiongrey during the apocalyptic eruption of the Icelandic volcano Eyjafjallajökull. These two recordings - as well as both 2016 versions - contain loops of the Agalloch songs Shadow and Pale Companion and appear on this release with kind permission of Agalloch and Dämmerung Arts. Dunkelgraue Lieder contains all the songs from the early Allerseelen CD Sturmlieder in shortened, digitally remastered versions. Wolfslied lyrics: Friedrich Hielscher. Leichenfarbne Dämmerung lyrics: Friedrich Nietzsche. Sturmlied lyrics: Ricarda Huch.

„Ich schone meine Krieger nicht. Wieso könntet ihr zu meinem Kriege taugen? Und mancher von euch fiele schon um, wenn er nur den lauten Schall meiner Trommeln hörte.“ (Friedrich Nietzsche: Also sprach Zarathustra)

„I do not treat my warriors indulgently: how could you serve in my war? And many of you would tumble over if ye but heard the loud beating of my drums.“ (Friedrich Nietzsche: Thus Spake Zarathustra)

"I've been spinning the CD Dunkelgraue Lieder by Allerseelen on repeat in my cozy little apartment, the dim lights flickering like candles in a forgotten chapel, and every note just pulls me deeper into this hypnotic world. It's not just music; it's a portal to something ancient and profound, wrapped in layers of melancholy and raw beauty. As a girl who's always been drawn to the shadows – the kind that whisper secrets in the night – this album feels like it was made for me. There's something so magnetic about Gerhard Hallstatt, this Austrian visionary who's the heart and soul of Allerseelen. His creativity, his depth... Let's talk about the music first because, wow, it hits you right in the chest. This is a reworked take on their 1996 album Sturmlieder, but Gerhard has transformed it into something even more intimate and expansive. The tracks blend industrial edges with neofolk warmth, creating this krautpop dreamscape that's philosophical and achingly sad. Songs like "Dunkelgraue Stille" (in its various versions) wrap you in brooding piano hits, cutting strings, and electro beats that gallop like a heartbeat in the dark – it's urgent, edgy, and so full of emotion. The newer additions, inspired by bands like Agalloch, feel more melancholic, with organic samples mingling with subtle electronics, evoking volcanic eruptions and lost horizons. Then there are the remastered originals in the middle, shortened and sharpened, with stern Germanic vocals over mechanical rhythms and atmospheric synths. Tracks like "Wolfslied" or "Herbstlied" have this ritualistic, nocturnal pulse – repetitive, ominous, yet strangely comforting, like a lullaby from the underworld. The whole thing clocks in near 80 minutes, and it's layered so richly that each listen reveals new details: a whisper of guitar noise here, a brooding bass line there. Gerhard's voice (and the guest contributions) adds this stern, mysterious allure – it's all in German, which makes it even more exotic and intimate to me, like a private confession. And the artwork? It's absolutely stunning, a perfect visual echo of the music's dark gray soul. The cover and inner panels feature photographs Gerhard took himself in Oregon back in 2010, during that wild Eyjafjallajökull volcano eruption. Imagine misty forests and rugged mountains shrouded in ash-gray tones, with hints of apocalyptic haze – cool silvers and deep charcoals dominating, punctuated by subtle earthy greens and blacks. There's a sense of vast, untamed nature, almost philosophical in its solitude, like staring into Nietzsche's abyss (and yeah, his influence is all over this album, from lyrics to the mood). The digipak design is simple yet elegant, with a 4-panel layout that feels like holding a piece of Gerhard's wanderlust in your hands. It's not flashy; it's introspective, drawing you in like the music does. Limited to just 300 copies, it feels rare and precious, like a secret shared between lovers. But what really sealed my obsession was seeing Allerseelen live – I've caught them several times now, once in a dimly lit Vienna club and again at a festival in the Alps, and each performance was electric. Gerhard's presence on stage is mesmerizing; he's got this intense energy, commanding the space with his vocals and that dynamic interplay with the band – the drummer's thunderous beats, the bass player's brooding lines, and those vocal harmonies that build to a fever pitch. It's not just a show; it's a ritual, full of raw power and passion that leaves you breathless. If you're into dark, atmospheric sounds that stir the soul – think a mix of industrial folklore and poetic neofolk – grab this CD before it's gone. Dunkelgraue Lieder isn't just an album; it's a love letter to the gloom, and Gerhard Hallstatt is the poet I've been dreaming of." (Liora Schatten)