Mauerbrecher is one of the few bands that can effectively combine medieval music and modern influences.   “Brightest Heaven” is a worthy successor to the excellent CD “Wilderness” (see our review), proving that Mauerbrecher is here to stay. Songwriter Rane merges dark ambient, electronic, and industrial elements with Middle Eastern and Medieval music influences, without losing the spirit of the latter. “Kyrie” is utterly majestic in scope. A perfect prologue with its apocalyptic vocals and percussion, echoing and forbidding. Bells and grand sounding organ announce the start of “The Brightest Heaven of Invention”, one of my favorite tracks. Tolling bells add a funereal air, with ominous synth overtones and female vocalizations. The synth suddenly quickens into a very medieval sounding melody. A perfect vampire anthem. The shawm part is a 16^th century piece by Susato. “Hortus Conclusus” has a French traditional piece wedged between very powerful percussion and Middle Eastern arrangements. Extremely danceable, this is a marvelous song. Synth and oud combine with Middle Eastern percussion on “Marduk”. A hazy electronic drone evokes a languid ambiance like a slow journey through the night desert. A touch of distorted vocals lends an otherworldly feel at the conclusion of the song. “Bagpipe Torture: is a stirring Celtic rhapsody with pipes and heavy bass. An Industrial sounding background and synth gives way to a little silhouetteo of the Renaissance, which reverts to the sounds of the pipes that get exceedingly stompy. “Hagios Alexios” has a medieval feel, accentuated by somewhat alien sounding synth. A slow, reflective aire. Lively percussion and harpsichord effects herald “Metsaltir”, which slides into Middle Eastern strings and rhythms. Lest we become too pensive, “Shelbayrt O’Conagh” injects a sense of Celtic playfulness into the soul, with heavy bass and galloping percussion. Drone strings halfway through remind me (in a good way) of Ren Faires past. The synth-based “Backwoods” is moody and dark, like a Gothic tale set on the cold, haunted moors. Slow and threatening, the song builds a sense of impending doom. “Carme Vernale” is a medieval ecclesiastical song, ably aranged by Mauerbrecher.   Hurdy gurdy sounds and echoed percussion suddenly burst into a Celtic sort of romp. Understated percussion and synth form a backdrop that adds a bit of depth. Alas, the CD is over, far too soon. Those with medieval, yet modern tastes will certainly be pleased with “Brightest Heaven”. I look forward to more Mauerbrecher!

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