Coronatus – Dreadful Waters | Progressive Rock Central.com

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The German symphonic folk metal band, Coronatus, is about to release their latest album, Dreadful Waters on Massacre Records, January 23, of this year.

Coronatus is a female fronted band that has been making music and releasing albums since 2007. They have released 10 studio albums, and Dreadful Waters will be their eleventh.

So, this is no new band and their sound reflects that wonderful experience and knowledge of how to build an excellent soundscape from which to deliver their glorious stories.

Coronatus was founded in 1999 by vocalist Georgios Grigoriadis and drummer Mats Kurth, Coronatus released its debut single Von Engeln nur in 2002. In 2004, Grigoriadis left, and was replaced by not one but two singers, Carmen R. Schäfer and Viola Schuch. The permanent line-up was expanded in 2006 with the addition of guitarist Stefan Häfele, bassist Wolle Nillies and keyboardist Fabian Merkt.

They have released the following studio albums: 2007: Lux Noctis, 2008: Porta Obscura, 2009: Fabula Magna, 2011: Terra Incognita, 2013: Recreatio Carminis, 2014: Cantus Lucidus, 2015: Raben im Herz, 2017: Secrets of Nature, 2019: The Eminence of Nature, and in2021: Atmosphere.

The band is led by members: Leni Eitrich, on vocals from (2021–present); Mats Kurth, on drums from (1999–present); Kristina Jülich, on violin from (2019–present); Brigitte “Nemesis” Kaefer, on vocals from (2022-present); and Harald “Harry” Zeidlers, on guitars from (2022-present).

Dreadful Waters,” as the title suggests, is an epic exploration of “the mysteries, dangers and mythic forces of the sea,” a symbol of “all that is deep, unseen, dangerous and awe-inspiring.”

The album opens with the mysterious sounding, “Maelstrom.” It is a wonderful opening with acoustic guitar and flute like keys. Then, the chorus joins in to add further drama. There is a great lyrical video for this fantastic opening track. One of the lead lady singers sings, “The Maelstrom far away in Norwegian seas. A horrible maw in its surface. All way down, down to hell. For ships and for men: no mercy. Brave and proud we follow our faith. We’ll go where no man was before. Deep down into the Maelstrom. So far will I sail for my true faith. Down the spiral of the Maelstrom So strong will I fight. So strong will I fight. For thy kingdom. Deep down into the Maelstrom.” A deep, sea fairing fight song, made complete with violins and a great powerful choir, drums and bass orchestration. An almost perfect opener, it seizes your ears from the beginning.

“Through the Brightest Blue,” opens with softer violin and a milder sounding choir. A very Celtic kind of song, full of drums, violin, choirs and guitar. One of the female singers sings, “Through the Brightest Blue. Aaah, ah, Diving into crystal-clear waters. Sun beams glitter through the surface. Perfect blessing for the soul. Down here in this silent world. Down the brightest blue. And through the wobbling play of light and shadows in shallow, wide oceans of time. Cruising in blue spheres underseas. Scraps of jaunty thoughts floating by. Living in a blissful bubble. No traces of any trouble.” There is a wonderful music video for this song as well, and it is wonderful.

“To the Reef!” is a slow opening song, full of deep piano and chilling orchestration. Then, Kristina Jülich’s excellent violin signals a change. One of the lead female singers sings along with the flute notes, “Spinning along a wide-open sea. The spray drenches our lavish spree. The world is ours today! The world is ours! Our boat speeds up to a scary degree. No helmsman ever seems to steer. The world is ours! Racing straight towards the reef ahead!” That spirit of being free out on the open ocean. Like an ode to Xandria’s “The Call of the Wind.” You can almost hear Manuella. Such a wonderful improvement over other bands in the metal genre which just recycle the same sounds and stories. That wonderful violin helps set Coronatus apart from others within the genre with similar sounds.

“The Ship’s Cook,” opens with operatic vocals from one of the female singers, supported with violin, “They will tell you a story mournfully remembered forlorn souls in the deep. Whisper within silent sounds of the sea. Memories raised to weep.” Then, the full soundscape takes the stage with powerful drums, bass, violin, and choirs. A symphony of the sea, and I love it. There is so much spirit in this ocean bound music. I love it!

The “Southern Cross,” of course, is a prominent constellation in the Southern Hemisphere, vital for celestial navigation and featured on flags like Australia’s and New Zealand’s, representing hope and guidance. The song opens with a beautiful violin solo, before one of the female singers sings, “Here I stand. (taking me to Edenbridge’s “The Bonding,” epic track), Oleander in my hand. Here by the sea. Only star lights are with me. Now, I see clear. That my life is a wheel. And now, I see clear. That my life is a winding wheel. And so I pray. Till my leaving day. To see the horizon. Sailing through the sea. And so I ride. Above me my guide. It’s the southern light. It will lead my way.” A beautiful song set to harp like keyboards and soft vocals. Absolutely wonderful and so dignified. A deep, well thought out hymn or prayer.

“The Siren,” opens with an orchestra full of strings and pounding orchestration to light the soundscape on fire. One of the female singers sings, “She will ride over the sea. Take your heart into the deep. Hear her voice. Love and hate. Destroy the love. Frozen your heart. Never escape. Binded to the yard.” Deep sounding bass and violin take over the soundscape as an instrumental ensues. This fearful song capturing the legend of the sirens of the ocean who take men’s souls.

On “A Seaman’s Yarn,” one of the female singers sings a Celtic like song, full of violin and accordion. She sings, “Far away across the sea. Across the oceans wide. Hides an isle under dark and magic skies. All your doubts and all your fears. Will come to life, will all be real. If you set but one single foot on that raptured ground. Wrecks of the souls. Lonely stranded upon cliffs of this cursed land.” Choirs and drums join in the dance to elevate the music. A wonderful composition to celebrate the love of the sea.

“Dark Ice,” has a very serious and well-made cinematic music video to support the song. Violins and heavy music open this epic tale. One of the female singers sings, “Invisible thread to life. Melting ice. Under the swing of my skids. Black night. All around. Uncertainty in my mind. In my life line. Fear of running out of time. Of losing the line. Of breaking through a crack. Into the black. Fear of dark ice. Treacherous, underground. Fear the dark eyes.” Some of the best violin solos and playing on the album.

“Die Hexe und der Teufel,” is a song sung completely in German. The title translates to: “The Witch and the Devil.” It opens with solid drums and soft violin and orchestration. The music, with acoustic guitar is beautiful, despite the dark song title. One of the female singers sings, with male vocals dueting throughout the song.

Coronatus’ Dreadful Waters, is a wonderful introduction to this German metal symphonic band’s music. Now that I have been introduced, I am a fan, and I will reach out to try interview the band soon. This album is excellent and full of operatic vocals from a new star on the female lead vocalist horizon. Maybe she is the next Manuella Kraller? She certainly has the voice to sing powerful songs like Manuella sang. The addition of Mats Kurth, on drums and Kristina Jülich, on violin helps this music to rise above the many talented bands in this genre. The Norther star of Germany from this band, Coronatus, taken from the Latin word meaning “crowned, garlanded, or encircled,” is a great gift to us all so early in the new year. Well, certainly this band should wear a crown. Will it be the new crown of top ten band of the year on the Pinnacle’s Edge Awards Show? Only time will tell…