The goal of this German act is to transform medieval music into the sound of 2000. But if you now think of swordfights and castles, when men were still men and ships made of wood – well, that doesn´t quite get to the point. It´s rather that sort of medieval music from the courts or monasteries that has certain meditative and hypnotic qualities.
Based on original traditional texts in (middle-age) German, English, French and Latin, singer Syrah (Sigrid Hausen), Michael Popp (vocals, Fidel, Saz, Shalmei, Ud, Tar) and Philipp Groth, who joined the band in 2003 (keyboards, vocals, guitars, programming) explore their own musical niche. They mix medieval, classical and ethno elements with a dose of Pop, re-interpreting old music in a new modern way. “Glacies”, for example, is an original medieval dance that, in Qntal´s version, could now easily lure people in contemporary discos to the dance floor. Also “Ludus”, “Sumer” and “Obscure” easily invite to shake a leg.
All three band members have a classical education background and explored different ways to combine old and new music before, Syrah and Popp with Estampie and Deine Lakaien - and "VI Translucida" indeed reminds you of Estampie; Philipp “Fil” Groth as programmer and keyboarder for In Extremo. Despite the extensive use of electronic beats and synthesizers, the sound on Qntal´s sixth album is anything but “cold”. It could be described as ancient church music “pepped up” for modern listeners (“La Froidor”, “Translucida”) or as Ethno-Electronic Pop with classical elements.
With the exception of the very dark and melancholic “Passacaglia” (an original composition by Antonio Vivaldi), the vocal style does not break out from the classical frame, but it fits the music quite well and adds an overall “other-worldly” atmospheric impression. Syrah´s high and fragile voice takes you on a trip into another dimension. Simply beautiful.
Klaudia Weber
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