PERCHTA : “D’Muata”

Austrian band Perchta particularly impressed me when they appeared on the Prophecy Productions firmament in 2020 with their debut album ‘Ufång’. The project exuded a unique ancient energy and passion, combining black metal and folklore in a way that I had never heard before and quite naturally managed to transport me into the dimensions of the fearsome pagan goddess Perchta wandering the Alps. Conceptual to a large extent, also with a high level of theatrical skills, emotional charge and technical craftsmanship, the band creates magical visions that draw the mind and the senses equally well to the music.

“D’Muata” is Perchta’s second full-length album, which will be released in a matter of days. The album also marks the first work of the band’s expanded lineup. There are four new main members joining forces with Walscher Fabio D’Amore and Frau Percht, as following – Håscht (drums), Loda (lead guitars), Gsell ( rhythm guitars) and Christian Höll (hammer cymbal). I am sure that you already  know the musicians from other bands in the underground scene, but  through PERCHTA and “D’Muata”, they help the ancient turn to  flesh and reveal to us a dark and charming manifesto of femininity .

“D’Muata”, translated as “The Mother”, focuses on procreation, birth, nurturing life and motherhood, without reducing women to this aspect only. Such themes as female sexuality, the stigma of menstruation, the loss of a child, violence against women and even femicide are also explored – and also personified as dark ancient Alpine folk figures.

Gentle melodies start the album in the song “Vom Verlånga”. A deep humming sweeps through the space, transporting you into a dreamy atmosphere, soon followed by the harsh eerie vocals of Frau Percht, punctuated by clean chants representative of Appian folklore. Rock feeling and folklore alternate with a black metal atmosphere, and for me personally, the melodies are memorable and recognizable. I don’t understand the Alpine dialect in which the song is written, although I can make some connections, but the emotional charge makes up for it and leaves a lasting impression on the mind during the listening of the record.

Across a total of nine tracks, PERCHTA take us through dynamic sonic folk narratives, each one characterized by cinematic atmosphere and immersive musicianship. In “D’Muata” there are both completely calm songs with ethereal folk instrumentals and speech (“Heiliges Bluat”), as well as beautiful symbioses of folklore and atmospheric black metal (“Vom Verlånga”, “Hebamm”, “D’Muata”) . In some of the songs  you will also hear more progressive and melodic black metal elements (“Mei Dianä Mei Bua”) and other exceptional elements.
The highlight of the title is definitely the inclusion of different traditional instruments like dulcimer, bagpipe  and different types of percussion, as well as the folk accent in Frau Percht’s vocals, which creates a unique feeling during the entire continuation of the album. I wish there were a bit more harsh vocal moments and the balance between black metal and folk was a little more refined, but overall, this is how the record delivers an authentic experience that you won’t find anywhere else.

Dedicated to the old traditions, PERCHTA takes us to the cold alpine forests and captivates the senses with a folkloric atmosphere that transports us back in time, to the era of long-forgotten gods and whimsical creatures. “D’Muata” is a multi-layered album where you will hear both disntinctive harsh vocal calls, ritual speech and clean folk singing. You will hear different types of black metal melodies surrounded by interesting traditional instruments and ambient noises. The work will transport you completely into the atmosphere of Perchta – ancient, powerful, sinister, but at the same time ethereal and enlightening. In other words, this album is to a large extent precisely a musical image of the original female nature, in the oldest and truest sense. The witch is here and ready to enchant you with her rituals. Trying to run away from her grip will make you no service.

Album: “D’Muata”
Band: Perchta
Release Date: June 14th, 2024
Label: Prophecy Productions
Link: http://lnk.spkr.media/perchta-dmuata