Published on Jan 20, 2006
Hexentanz — literally meaning “the witches’ dance”
— is a collaboration of members of The Soil Bleeds Black and
Psychonaut 75, both of which have one foot in music and the other
in devil-worshipping rituals. The music of Soil Bleeds Black,
immersed in Middle Age atmospheres and customs, explores the
traditions and customs of medieval Europe. Along similar lines, the
industrial-electronic music of Psychonaut 75 blends ritualism with
post-apocalyptic chaos. Hence, it is only appropriate to call the
collaboration of Hexentanz an outfit of occult music.
The band members of Hexentanz have interests — in
some form or the other — pertaining to the left-hand tradition:
Michael Ford is the author of several memoirs dealing with the
practice of the Witches Sabbat, Persian sorcery, Luciferian
Witchcraft and magic in general; Michael Riddick has been studying
and practicing magic for the past ten years; Dana Dark has been
involved in the dark music underground, with her work involving
organization of several gothic culture events in Texas; Lux Fero
(Davcina) has a background in Luciferian witchcraft, Mexican
Witchcraft, and folk magic traditions; and Mark Riddick has been
experimenting and recording music with various medieval instruments
for the past decade.
According to the band website, Hexentanz conceives
its art within the living tradition of “left-hand path practice,”
and maintains sincerity with its elucidation of the medieval
Witches Sabbat.
Composed of actual medieval period instruments,
synthetic ritual devices, human bones, and authentic arcane chants
of medieval and modern witch cult practice, the musical expression
of Hexentanz encompasses the practice of medieval black magic.
Nekrocrafte is an album of ghoulish chanting and primeval
tribal rhythms, which form a rich soundscape of dark, neo-medieval
folk music.
Nekrocrafte is an album of sounds rather than
tunes. The musical interpretations of rituals on this album would
make a great soundtrack for a gothic horror-flick. This record is
recommended only for those who believe in or take part in
witchcraft rituals.
[More information on Hexentanz can be found at
www.hexentanz.us]