Spotlight on Pagan MusicA weekly feature highlighting the best music from Pagan, Pagan - influenced, and occult artists. You can hear many of these artists on
my weekly radio show and podcast, or you can check out the annual
"Darker Shade of Pagan" music special
available for download online.
FAUN
Faun
Band Bio:Faun combines ancient instruments with modern influences to create an enchanting and powerful atmosphere. The band's performances incorporates up to three voices, chanting, and many different instruments. For example: Celtic harp, nyckelharpa, various lyres, bagpipes, large Japanese taiko drums, cister, Pagan zither, flutes and even Arabic instruments like dombra, rebab, riq, oud, darabukka and bendir. Faun's influences of Celtic folk, medieval music and Arabic rhythmic tones fusing with driving beats draws an ever-growing crowd of followers.
Faun web site.Faun MySpace page.Song download:"Punagra" (MySpace Mp3 download)"Sirena" (MySpace Mp3 download)"Rosmarin" (MySpace Mp3 download)Faun's song "Das Tor" appears on the 6th annual "Darker Shade of Pagan" special available for download,
here.
Reviews:"The title of Faun's latest album, Renaissance, references revelation, rebirth, and coming into the light. And on this album, the band surely accomplishes this feat. While Licht (en: Light), their previous album, remains a masterpiece in its own right, there seemed to be a very conscious distinction between the electronic and the acoustic. Renaissance makes this blend nearly seamless. The timing and flow of the electronica plays with and enhances, not against the variety of ethnic and antique rhythms." -
John R. Harford (Amazon.com) "Faun combines elements of medieval, folk and Renaissance music with a dash of gothic aesthetic and modern production. The end result is an earthy, sensual and intoxicating witches' brew (and we mean that in a very positive way). Recommended especially for fans of Qntal, Loreena McKennitt, and Blackmore's Night" -
Projekt.com"Faun is a German combo that makes folk music with medieval influences. This could be uptempo and dancable but it could also be through tiny campfire lovesongs. With Faun the latter dominates and that's why Faun could easily connect to audience interested in pagan folk..." -
GothtronicMy Two Cents:Faun has earned a special place in my heart. On their latest CD "Renaissance", this openly Pagan (and proud) band produced a song that may be one of my all-time favorite examples of what "underground" or "dark" Pagan music is all about. The song "Das Tor" is haunting, beautiful, ethereal, strong, dark, and quickly winds its way into your subconscious. For that alone this band should be checked out, but lucky for you they have produced several amazing songs that range from dreamy ballads to folksy fire-side stomps. This band may have realized the potential of "modern" Pagan music. Everyone else will have to catch up.
Further Reading:Interview with Faun.
