Muse Chronicle

With his debut album released back in 2019, Herald K is back with another incredible, stupendous album ‘Mythologies’, a ten-track project prompted by Universal ancient literary myths, be it from Rome, Greece, Ireland or any others. Based in Vienna, Austria, Herald K is a Norwegian singer-songwriter who describes his music as ‘folk-noir’. In 2022, Herald had already released three of the tracks from ‘Mythologies’: ‘Arethusa’, a ballad of infatuation of a river’s god towards a beautiful water nymph, ‘Wandering Aengus’, symphonies of the Irish God of Love, and ‘Circe’, a melody for the infamous witch of antiquity, and of the Odyssey, who by magic potions turns men into swine.

In 2023, the artist disclosed two more tracks from the album, ‘Echo’s Song’, a duet about the ancient Greek myth of Echo and Narcissus, and ‘Where Eagles Fly’, a song narrative of the search for that place far, far away from the chaos of this lively world.

“Mythologies is a harmonious tapestry of classical and folk mythical musings turned into mystic ballads for the modern realm of musical wonders.”

‘Mythologies’ has come to be a successful project of sonic art only because of the elemental beauty confided within the tunes of the songs. The resonant Nyckelharpa, Accordion, Violin, Concertina, and Tin Whistle played by most talented and skilled Stephan Steiner, and the harmonious harmonica by Othmar Loschy brings out the life in the melodies sculpted by Herald K. All the tracks give home to a different historical tale rephrased by the artists into something even the world today can connect to.

My personal favourite being ‘Arethusa’, the ballad provides you with the most perfect atmosphere for the story of Alpheus and Arethusa. Listening to the ‘Arethusa’ takes you to a Greek riverside waterfall that are fantasized about in the books, where you can admire beauty with all your power.

The album is an aural synonym for Aphrodite. The classical progressions accompanied with the folky chords and tunes make the tracks an alluring series of compositions, and leave the listeners wanting more and more. ‘Old Soul’ is the perfect captivating opener apprehending the spirit and sombre of the whimsical tone and enigmatic soundscape of the album. The pick of every single word of the lyrics for every song takes you closer to the dreamy enchanted land of your fictional world.

Female vocals by Jessica Slavik and Lina Louise sound almost siren-like, bewitching and irresistible to the ears, luring the listeners into a loop of pleasure. The album is a perfect fit for folklore fanatics and traditional music enthusiasts.

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