Holle Mangler is an electronic musician from Bergheim, Germany who brazenly ventures out into parallel musical genres, spanning art, prog and ambient. It’s at times punchy and vibrant, lapsing into solid grooves with attention to detail, as well as shifting gears when the pace needs some acceleration. Veering into misty atmospheric colourations is also a specialty , especially when rigidly adhering to a sense of melodicism that is immensely compelling. Every note seems to have a purpose.
The opening track is an imperious nearly 11-minute sonic wager that conveys all the impressions expressed above. “The Sorcerer” is properly enchanting, compositional wizardry very much at the helm, a deliriously exciting track that forced me to buy on Bandcamp without the slightest hesitation . Holle follows up with another even more stunning colossus , the 11 minute + juggernaut , “Staring into the Eyes of Death” with the obligatory darker theme, led by a sombre reptilian tempo that has an overt funereal tone, keyboard riders of the apocalypse grim reaping along, hidden by a spine-chilling haze. Having gathered at the sepulcher, the haunting synth veils introduce the snarly laugh of Mephistopheles, patiently waiting to make a deal for your soul. The echoing cathedral effect is spellbinding, at times gothic and icy cold, only the fire of the solemn drumbeat keeps semblance with any kind of reality. The final section raises the angst even further, as if an inverted abyss has altered one’s perception.
“Panic” comes almost as relief, a disturbing electronic frazzle that exudes an urban temperament, deeply melancholic and still far from any salvation, seemingly. There remains a lingering sense of possible liberation in the brief ambient final segment, but it surely can only be a brief reprieve. Fine, let’s do another couple of epic length tracks to keep the audience delighted and guessing what comes next. The spectral lucidity exhibited on “Funeral for an Oath” is phenomenal, a luxuriant soundtrack that conjures a variety of images, stretching an ambient canvas until it morphs into harsher electric guitar-led slashes at some silver screen production. The unexpected mid-section is utterly majestic and drenched in melody, delving into neo-classical stylistics, until a baroque organ and synth duet take over the arrangement and let the rhythmic pulse take the plunge into the unknown. The third section comes back to a certain standard pace, providing a curly theme that seeks no complexity, just to underline a sense of normalcy.
Can this possibly continue? “Liberation” alters the perception further with extravagant electronic layers, noises, effects and whispering shadows. When the powerful binary beat slams into place, followed by a bass line that seeks only to guide further along a path of freedom, you just know that a carefully crafted epiphany of sound will be unleashed. Unpredictably, it’s a romantic mood that is offered, as if depicting a modern love story, complete with jangling guitar riffing, mellotron backdrop, and choppy rhythmic adornments. Fascinating. The raspy riffs raise the level to a higher plane, constantly evolving as if searching for salvation. The softer contrasts are spectacular, both unassuming and pure, only symphonic details are needed to increase the enjoyment. A thunder and lightning composition. Born to be wild.
Time for more? Ja, mehr bitte! “Along the Butterfly Meadow” as the title may imply is a more delicate aural journey of soaring electronic sweeps, with a quasi-Vangelis feel, and a gentler, kinder flow that is most welcome. The synth-flute notes are particularly endearing as it soothes the sensibilities with a saccharine panacea. By now, it is clear that Holle Mangler can easily adapt to warm as well as harsher climates and master them both simultaneously and as separate entities. That is quite a talent. “Page 21” is ambient cloudy cotton before being injected with some gale force greyness smack into the eye of the storm. Intricate and temperamental, it sways from one extreme to another, as well as everything in between, forging a wide expanse of modern impressions. After a brief intro, and after a final outro, “Gathering of the Council of Elders” is, believe it not, the leviathan track coming in at 13 minutes and change. A Gregorian choir will crucify me every single time, I have been impressed since my tender youth by the commanding resonance of massed voices, still the most glorious sound ever, in my humble opinion. It serves only to set the vibe in motion, a playful lilt that shuffles along proudly, carving a nice melody, guitars in tow, pulsating bass line and monster percussive attack. The stop and go pace is bewildering, a showcase of indelible melodicism, tight rhythmic propulsion, variations and tempo changes galore, and outright delirious soloing.
This is right up there with the best electronic prog ever. Geoff Downes’ The New Dance Orchestra- The Light Program (1987) has been finally dethroned! For those who may be turned off by the perception of endless synthesized noodling running your ramen dinner, let me assure you that this album and artist offers a bewitching array of musical pleasure for the discriminating prog fan. Already in my top 5 for 2025! ‘Ein Absolutes Meisterwerk’.
5 Elfin Stories