Released on: 20th April 2018
Deeply rhythmic and enchanting LIFA by Heilung is getting a second wind courtesy of Seasons of Mist. Sold-out and still in high demand this live album was recorded at Castlefest in 2017. There’s nothing added to the contents of this release as this is only a reissue but perhaps it’s one of the only times that fans can rest easy knowing what they’ve got.
Heilung are a Danish collective. Their name is the German word for Healing. LIFA was a live recording that was originally released very early last year (2018.) It can be described as an artistic call to the wilds; An invocation to the primeval spirit; A performance to sedate a wretched soul. Given the roadkill circus aesthetic during the show there’s definitely some sort of hocus pocus implied here.
As a composition it’s inherently trance like. With it’s ritualistic beats and hypnotic choruses your Mom could totally mistake it for Dead Can Dance, or witchcraft. Probably witchcraft but you would be forgiven for confusing the alto vocals for Lisa Gerrards’ sultry accompaniments if you’re into that sort of thing. Breaching the line between ambiance and structure it sits happily in the genre of Ambi-dance (you’re welcome.)
Recorded straight from the PA the sound quality is comparable to studio recordings. In fact it’s even better because the live setting has all of the slight inequities that can turn an audiophile on like a necrophiliac in a cemetery. The performance is flawless however and the scope of this compendium is a great introduction to the music of Heilung.
8/10
