Mit Leib und Seele cover

Released 20 years ago

Mit Leib und Seele

Schandmaul · 2006

68 min · 17 tracks · folk rock

Energetic folk rock intertwines with medieval motifs, creating a vibrant tapestry of storytelling and instrumentation.

Top tracks — play these first

  • →
    Feuertanz — This track showcases an infectious energy with driving rhythms and vivid imagery, embodying the album’s thematic exploration of passion and celebration.
  • →
    Das Mädchen und der Tod — A haunting ballad that juxtaposes life and death through a narrative lens, highlighting Schandmaul's talent for storytelling within their music.
  • →
    Der Untote — This song combines eerie melodies with upbeat instrumentation, demonstrating the band's ability to blend darker themes with lively folk elements.

Elevation

Our rating, out of 100 — and why.

AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.

59 /100
Treeline
Higher than 57% of albums we've rated

The album blends energetic folk rock with medieval elements, showcasing strong craftsmanship and cohesive storytelling.

What we noticed

  • The album opens with a strong, driving rhythm in 'Vor der Schlacht', setting an energetic tone that persists through the first half.
  • Several tracks feature layered vocal harmonies and call-and-response structures, enhancing the storytelling aspect of the lyrics.
  • The last three tracks slow down the tempo significantly, creating a reflective atmosphere that contrasts with the earlier energy.
Composition 25% of the score
7/10

the writing — melody, harmony, structure, lyrics

Craft 20% of the score
8/10

production, performance, arrangement

Durability 25% of the score
6/10

whether it rewards returning to it

Distinctiveness 18% of the score
6/10

whether it sounds like itself

Sequencing 12% of the score
7/10

running order, pacing, length

Influence 4/10

Known within its scene. Reported but not counted — how far a record travelled describes its reception rather than the record, and a newer release has had less time to travel than an older one.

Is this for you?

Good fit if you like

  • dynamic journey with emotional peaks
  • inviting sing-alongs with friends
  • storytelling that sparks imagination
  • wave-like pacing for varied moods
  • for evening gatherings

Maybe skip if you

  • prefer instant gratification tracks
  • avoid lengthy narrative experiences

Where this album fits

Career context
Released in 2006, Mit Leib und Seele is Schandmaul's fifth studio album, following the successful narrative-driven record, Anderswelt. At this point in their career, the band was solidifying its reputation within the German folk rock scene, blending contemporary elements with traditional sounds to create a unique musical identity.
Stylistic neighbors
In Extremo· Corvus Corax· Saltatio Mortis

Tracklist

Best experienced from track one — press play and let it unfold.

  • 1 Vor der Schlacht 3:54
  • 2 Lichtblick 3:22
  • 3 Kein Weg zu weit 4:05
  • 4 Abschied 3:53
  • 5 Feuertanz 5:03
  • 6 Die Tür in mir 4:44
  • 7 Das Mädchen und der Tod 3:06
  • 8 Der Untote 4:35
  • 9 Zauber der Nacht 3:16
  • 10 Mitgift 3:33
  • 11 Wolkenberge 4:03
  • 12 Dunkle Stunde 4:39
  • 13 Großes Wasser 3:31
  • 14 Der Poet 3:50
  • 15 Das Spiel 3:52
  • 16 Käptn Coma 3:30
  • 17 Wie sie ist 5:40

Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata