FB1964 - 2022 - Malleus Maleficarum

(63:49; Guma Records)

Track list:
1. Creatures 4:37
2. Massive Lack of Order 4:49
3. They 6:04
4. Evil's Priority 7:36
5. Kingdom of Heaven 5:13
6. God 7:59
7. Blasphemic Thoughts 5:27
8. Demons 6:26
9. The Ultimate Truth 5:57
10. Fire 5:05
11. Torture 4:36

Line-up:
Frank Badenhop - guitars
Jilly Waldo - keyboards
Hanno Kerstan - drums
Mirko Gätje - bass
Becky Gaber - vocals
with:
Ronnie Romero - vocals
Chris Boltendahl - vocals
Kubra Ugur - vocals
Oleg Rudych - vocals
Liv Jagrell - vocals
David DeFeis - vocals
Tim Owens - vocals
Laura Guldemond - vocals
Lea Diekman - backing vocals
Dethy Borchardt - guitars
Iago Pedroso - guitars
Alex Rost - guitars
Julia Kosterova - guitars
Juliana Wilson - guitars
Michele Dr. Viossy - guitars
Bobby Ellsworth - guitars
Eric Wirsing - guitars
Eric Scheufele - guitars
Yiannis Papadopoulos - guitars
Joe Stump - guitars
Tamas Petro - guitars
Juan M. Varona - guitars
Ivan Mihaljevic - guitars
Charly Parra - guitars
Brian Maillard - guitars
Giulia Marta Vallar - guitars
Anna Murphy - hurdy gurdy
Ally Storch - violin
Anastasia Monasypowa - cello


German project FB1964 has been an active recording venture for around a decade, releasing new albums at a regular pace. "Malleus Maleficarum" was released in the fall of 2022, and is the sixth studio album to be released by this project.

The original Malleus Maleficarum, aka. The Hammer of the Witches, is a treatise on witchcraft from medieval times, and witchcraft is the theme explored on this production too. Hence those with a vested interest in that topic can take note of this being the concept explored on this production. The creator of this album states specifically that he considers 'Malleus Maleficarum' to be a religious conspiracy text, and that he distances himself from the content of this writing. So while this ancient text inspired this album and the theme explored, this is in no way a creation that supports any of the views one can find in this ancient religious text. It should probably also be noted that all the income generated by this album will go to the organization regenwald.org

On this occasion, main man Badenhop operates with a core band unit to perform the material, and with a number of guests adding their talents to the different compositions. Some more well known than others, but all of them quality performers in their respective roles.

The music on this occasion alternates between good, old fashioned heavy metal and power metal, and befitting the conceptual premise of this production the songs come with quite a bit of dramatic flair. Folk music and world music elements are very much present, albeit often in a subtle manner, and orchestral and symphonic details have been added to further enhance the dramatic nature of the material here. Which is also an aspect of the vocal performances, with everything from raspy dominant male lead vocals to female vocals with more of an operatic flair and mode of delivery. As with most albums some of the songs work better than others, and at least for my taste and perception of music I do find the more dynamic compositions to be the ones that function best on a musical level. If regarded from a purely conceptual point of view that perception may of course be slightly different, as it seems clear that the nature of the compositions at least to some extent will correspond with the lyrical content.

Those with a strong passion for concept albums that operate inside the triangle of power metal,. heavy metal and symphonic metal somewhere strikes me as the perfect audience for this production, with a further plus point to be added if the concept explored here is one that is of a specific interest for you. A well made album of this specific type, with plenty of solid tracks and a generally high production quality.

Olav M. Björnsen, December 2022

Links:
https://fb1964.bandcamp.com/