SUBWAY TO SALLY „Nord Nord Ost”

Music: Celtic/Folk/Industrial Metal
Country: Germany
Website: http://www.subwaytosally.de/
Duration: 42.11
Cool Songs: Schneekonigin, 74, Feuerland, S.O.S.

Err…quick confession. I’m not the man for this. I may be totally ignorant to the long standing career that German band Subway to Sally have forged for themselves, but as much I have tried to get my head around their dark medieval folk metal hybrid, it is clear that I just don’t get it. That’s not to say that many of you won’t find something of interest here, hell a fifteen year career and some nine full length albums behind them indicates that they are doing something right. But, for the record you can count me out of their obviously loyal and dedicated fan base.

From the outset it is necessary to point out that Subway to Sally really only have limited appeal in this country. They’re treated like gods in Germany, but here in OZ their Celtic folk meets ‘Rammstein – light’ industrial flavour will only appeal to a select few. Not that their music isn’t interesting – in fact, for the most part I admire their ability to marry instruments like the hurdy-gurdy, bagpipes, flutes and mandolins (among many other old world instruments) with metal riffs. Their cold dark and edgy production also gives ‘Nord Nord Ost’ a distinctive feel – a mix that allows both their folk atmospherics and guitar based rhythms to combine without one style intruding over the other. There is a nice dichotomy going on here.

Unfortunately, it is the vocals of main man Eric Fish that I have a lot of trouble with. As a voice, Eric has a lot going for him – idiosyncratic and emotive, he reminds me of a lot of early era ‘Fish’ from Marillion – however, the fact that chooses to sing (assuming he knows English of course) in his native German dialect just about alienates 80% of the potential audience that this band might have, could have gained. I don’t care what sort of argument you put up about authenticity and sticking to your roots (and yes, the German tongue does give STS a unique edge), for Subway to Sally to improve their profile in the western market (and signing to Nuclear Blast for world wide distribution would suggest that is the plan), singing in ENGLISH is key. People want to sing along – and with the sort of uplifting folk anthems that they have written on this new album, I would think this to be of even more importance.

‘Nord Nord Ost’ is obviously a meticulously conceived album from a veteran band who knows exactly what they are doing. Their immediate selling market is obviously Germany and the surrounding European nations – and most certainly the Teutonic masses will be doing back flips over this one. Whether the release of ‘NNO’ is just a case of Nuclear Blast testing the ‘Western waters’ or a serious attempt to break the band open, well, it’s a debatable move. Unlike their European counterparts I think the response to Subway to Sally, in this country at least, will be lukewarm at best.

note: Quote: 5

Tracklist

Sarabande de Noir
Schneekonigin
Feuerland
Sieben
74
Feuerkind
Das Ratsel II
S.O.S.
Eisblumen
Seemannslied

Line-up

Eric Fish – Vocals, Bagpipe, Flute, hurdy-gurdy
Frau Schmitt – Violin
Bodenski – Vocals & Guitar
Simon – Vocals & Acoustic Guitar
Ingo Hampf – Guitar
Sugar Ray Runge – Bass
David Pδtsch – Drums