ALBUM REVIEW: Himmelfahrt – Subway To Sally

Now look, yes – the name of German folk metal band SUBWAY TO SALLY‘s new album is, indeed, amusing if you’re immature or au fait to puerile humour, but make no bones about this, the group themselves are anything but a comedy act. One of the stalwarts of their country’s alternative scene, they’ve been going for over 30 years and, despite little fanfare outside of Germany itself, are considered legends regardless. This new record – which translates literally to ‘Ascension’ and is their fourteenth in total – is out on Friday March 24th via Napalm Records.

At this point in their career, SUBWAY TO SALLY have found their groove, know their audience and are almost certainly not about to take their sound in an entirely new direction; rather, they’ll do what they do best, and that’s create a bunch of well-crafted, emotion-stirring tunes, some of which are so jaunty and upbeat you’ll find it impossible not to raise a tankard of ale in response. As a perfect example, opening track Was Ihr Wolt (What You Want) does exactly that, conjuring images of bards playing a tavern somewhere in Middle Earth as patrons stamp their feet with flagons raised high; the only difference is they’re all singing in German and there are electric guitars involved.

Leinen Los (Cast Off) leans more into the metal side than the folk, but violinist Ally Storch ensures the latter still has a strong presence with an excellent performance that brings the melody in the manner of a lead axeman, whilst Middle Earth becomes Westeros in the Game Of Thrones-esque Auf Dem Hügel (On The Hill); it’s more downtrodden, but it’s still a rousing number to light a fire inside.

SUBWAY TO SALLY aren’t just about the big, colourful tunes though; they’re also more than capable of stepping into reflective territory. Indeed, whilst this album is underpinned by the concept of hope rising from the bitterness of adversity, the band have admitted it was difficult writing songs that celebrated this while the pandemic was occurring. Weit Ist Das Meer (Far Is The Sea) is one such track, talking about braving choppy waters with a defiant scream, whether literally or figuratively in one’s own life; it’s a powerful track as well, bringing to mind the more morose strains of fellow countrymen RAMMSTEIN in line with Ohne Dich and their piano version of Mein Hertz Brennt. Meanwhile, the grandiose Gott Spricht (God Speaks) follows a short, Latin interlude and feels more like prime AMARANTHE, fully embracing a more symphonic side.

SUBWAY TO SALLY have nothing to prove to anyone anymore, but their passion and drive for the music they create is, clearly, still in abundance. Himmelfahrt is another solid notch in their sparkling discography, proving there’s a lot left in the band’s tank and one that will delight their fervent fanbase. Those who haven’t come across them but are fans of ELUVEITE, FEUERSCHWANZ, BROTHERS OF METAL et al will do well to check this out; the door to a huge back catalogue awaits…

Rating: 7/10

Himmelfahrt is set for release on March 24th via Napalm Records.

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