Release Date: 3 May 2004
Song Count: 10
Rating: 6.9/10
Description:
A trip to a tale of a unique life full of sheer creativity and a passion for magic and the paranormal awaits us, as today's album is the first of the moniker Nebelhexë, one created by none other than German musician and author Andrea Haugen. A pagan and a free spirit at heart, Haugen has been in the scene of Gothic music and darker-sounding folk combined with rock and metal elements since the early 1990's, creating music under several names, groups and projects over the course of time and being a smaller albeit well-respected figure in the spaces she was in. Unfortunately, at the age of 52, this tale of hers decorated by her with works and experiences of artistry, esotericism and poetry would come to an end, as she tragically fell victim to the "bow-and-arrow" attacks of Kongsberg in Norway on 13 October 2021, alongside four others.
Laguz - Within the Lake is, in the simplest words, an album branching across many influences and sounds. With an affinity for using metaphors of nature, spiritualism and supernatural events, Nebelhexë's peculiar, raw and at times deep yet siren-like folk vocals call out her self-written poetic and layered lyrics atop a instrumental blend of traditional European string instruments, rock guitars and bass, and calculated industrial percussioning and sound effects. The tracks, while all keeping one very similar kind of grim and haunting sound throughout, revolve around different lyrical and narrative, metaphorical images to convey and express these themes, and some varied sound effects and audial implementations (such as the chirping of birds at the start of "Bird Song") all giving them their own artistic and musical identity.
Haugen has cited her general musical inspirations to be the likes of Kate Bush, the Cocteau Twins, and the Gregorian chants of the Benedictine monks of Santo Domingo de Silos - three influences very differing from one another, but ones that all are visibly - or rather, aurally - incorporated into Laguz - Within the Lake, from the lyricism to the way they are delivered using layers and Haugen's very distinct vocal style, and every other element essentially surrounding this core to bring this set of songs to life. The best example of this is the closing track "Touch of Morpheus" a song that incapsulates the best of nearly every detail and musical element that has been present in the preceding tracks. It narratively describes a mysterious figure of "the Sleeper" coming out of the narrator's dreams to visit her and introduce her to their "realm", then disappearing and leaving the narrator in search of them for the rest of their days.
This album overall is a good representation of how Andrea Haugen was as a person - it is stylistically "out there", it invokes a feeling of the being of something much further beyond the human and mortal world, and it isn't afraid to exist on its own terms without having to conform to mainstream notions or expectations. Though still more of a grower than a case of "admiration at first listen" for yours truly, it carries a sort of eccentric and strange sense of somber beauty within it that the right audience for it will most definitely get to experience with their senses and appreciate in its full capacity.
Rest in peace, Andrea Haugen, also known as Nebelhexë, and thank you for the music. You will not be forgotten.