(Energeia, Via Manzoni 9, 80019 Qualiano NA, Italy)

This CD is kind of a split release of two italian side-project of bandmembers from Exu and Mystery Plays from Italy. Most of the music of both projects are in the vein of Neo-Folk and a little bit CMI-sound. STRIBOG opens this release with an interpretation of the german ballad "Der König In Thule". It often sounds strange, if italian bands sing in German, so here too, but it is really well done. Other tracks are really minimal with acoustic guitars and fine melodies, which has an autumn feeling. Sometimes I think, there are too many Death In June influences, but STRIBOG is darker, more atmospheric.

FUTHARK´S part of this CD starts with a kind of spoken word track with musical background. It remeinds me a bit of Rozz Williams´ spoken word CDs and much more on the forgotten LP "Endless Avenues" by Danny Antonelli (does anybody know, if there is more material by Antonelli?). FUTHARK produces the most minimal music, which is possible with a little Neo-Classic character and some soundtrack-like moments. This is music for listening to late in the evening at home alone by candlelight, but don´t put a knife near your place or it could be the last ever CD you heard in your life! (A.P.)