ALBUM REVIEW: Knüppel aus dem Sack – Schandmaul

After ten records and almost 25 years of work under their belts, SCHANDMAUL return once more to unleash the very best of folk rock in Knüppel aus dem Sack. With roots in captivating storytelling and a very distinct sound and style, the band’s eleventh album boasts a host of catchy and thoroughly enjoyable tunes.

Knüppel aus dem Sack is mostly undeniably good fun, a real jaunt into folk music that allows the best features of the band to shine. Modern approaches to traditional folk instrumentation have always been a big pull of SCHANDMAUL. The harmonies of Königsgarde and the tongue in cheek Das Gerücht at the top end of the record have a dark and childish edge, like listening to a German fairy tale. In fact, while the record and subsequent track take their naming and influence from a Brothers Grimm tale, you can feel the pull of heritage and the draw of modern sounds and structures better than ever with this album.

There’s plenty on offer with 13 tracks to delve into, you’ll find something that tickles your fancy. Everything about this record has a candid approach, and there’s plenty of tension and trickery to be felt in songs like Tatzelwurm, wherein SCHANDMAUL tell the tale of the creature of German folklore with the face of a cat and the body of a serpent. Its preposterous nature as a subject is reflected but also respected in the song itself, a heralding blare of Thomas Lindner’s vocals and the cry of every instrument making it an unlikely anathematic tune.

The middle section of the record is possibly the least engaging part of the album to navigate. Der Flug feels a little by the numbers for the majority of the time, and isn’t a stand out, but still remains a fun, punky-folk tune, while Der Quacksalber is definitely a softer moment with just as odd a theme as its name suggests. Luft Und Liebe doesn’t have the main hook that keeps you drawn in, but the masterful use of whistles and pipes is always welcome and much appreciated against the chugging guitars. Regardless of your persuasion, these are all very well constructed and thoroughly true to the nature of folk music.

The latter half of the record pushes the rock side of the folk inclination, with Irgendwann having a shanty-esque choral chant behind the main lyrics that anyone could join in with, the very heart of what folk music and storytelling is all about. Niamh is also very haunting in its subject, and fills you with the power of its story behind the stomping electric guitars against the tempered, more acoustic traditional instrumentation.

SCHANDMAUL have produced a full, fun and interesting folk rock record, yet again. Knüppel aus dem Sack has plenty to keep you coming back, with many layers of engaging melodies and hooks, and reams of stories to wrap yourself up in.

Rating: 7/10

Knüppel aus dem Sack is set for release on June 10th via Napalm Records.

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