Review from Heathen Harvest Defying the boundaries of genre and earthly chord progressions, While Angels Watch's History & Heritage Vol. 1 opens up myriads of directions to take from the more conventional neofolk tradition. One could think that using a more rock oriented instrumentation and a more complex set of melodies would, in a way, crush the characteristic mood and imagery found in most neofolk albums. That would not apply to this album, whose experimentation, rather than choking all the beautiful aspects of its genre, takes them to a superior level of intelligence and majesty. As I've said, this album takes in more elements of rock music than most neofolk releases. One part of "Shadow over Shade" actually sounds like a softer version of an AC/DC riff. The drums are generally more active (in "In Heavens Arms", notably), and the electric bass guitar can be heard in all tracks, yielding a more structured low end. On the high end, there actually are guitar solos on some tracks, played on a softly overdriven guitar.One may think it'd be ridiculous, but it is actually quite refined and coherent, and those give even more emotion to the melodies. The vocals are hazy, and the lyrics are thoughtful, enough to satisfy the poetry fans. I guess poetry is what this album is.Poetry converted to music, where letters become notes, and where words become harmonies, and where all of those fuse into pure essences of feeling and touch. The different layers and depths of notes and emotion can be seen dancing together around a big, happy yet melancholic, bonfire of life. While Angels Watch is like a little Eden in the middle of a dull and hostile forest of decent yet weary Current 93-influenced neofolk, and its Vol. 1 will please your musical taste buds whether you're into folk music, folk rock, or even the post-punk scenes. All of that in one album! This album should be force-fed to all neofolk enthusiasts, although force won't be necessary once the addiction has taken the spirit of the listener to faraway destinations, beyond the realms of regular chord oriented music. History & Heritage Vol. 1 will take you back in time and through the meaning of life itself. Those wind-dwelling tunes are worth pure gold.