Tranceforming

In 2001, THANATEROS released their debut album, ?The First Rite? ? a work about magic, the worship of nature, old gods and shamanism. Even though this theme has always accompanied the five dark rockers, THANATEROS? new work, ?Tranceforming?, is a more impressive continuation of their first album than ever before. As if there were less than 23 years between the two releases.\nThe title ?Tranceforming? is fitting. A play on words that, on the one hand, stands for bringing about a shamanic trance in which the practitioner goes on a dream journey, leaves his body and gets in touch with the spirit world. And, on the other hand, it includes transition, change, transformation. Aspects to which everything and everyone is subjected to, on both the small and large scales.\n\nMusically, THANATEROS return to folky, Irish-Celtic sounds. While this element was only marginally present on the last releases, "Tranceforming" is bursting with Irish melodies, the typical interplay of violin and whistle and yearning Celtic-Nordic tunes. Using frame drums, shakers and bone rattles, the turning towards shamanic, ritual rhythms ties in with earlier releases. However, on "Tranceforming" it receives much more attention and runs like a common thread through the entire album. As usual, the instrumental framework is formed by hard, heavy guitars, a driving bass, mighty powerful drums and varied virtuoso violin playing.\n\nThe song selection is also varying. Whether it is hard metal numbers, rocky, driving songs or emotional, intense ballads - on "Tranceforming" THANATEROS show a remarkably wide musical range without straying from their typical style. The whole album is crowned by Ben Richter's diverse, melodic voice, which brilliantly conveys the diverse emotions and content of the twelve songs.\n\nSince "Tranceforming" also impresses with a powerful, balanced and harmonious production, the new THANATEROS work certainly represents a milestone in the band's long-standing work and should also provide a lot of joy live on stage.\n\nTHANATEROS are: Ben Richter - vocals / Chris Lang - guitar / Christof Uhlmann - violin / MarT M�ller - bass / Simon Rippin - drums on "Tranceforming"