Terrorizer
http://www.terrorizer.com/

Estonian medieval/renaissance music quintet Rondellus have here arranged 12 Ozzy-era Sabbath songs for authentic medieval instruments (harp, fiddle, organistrum, psaltery, bagpipe, lute, etc) translated them into Latin and delivered them in haunting plainsong. It is an extraordinary accomplishment, each song completely and convincingly reinvented and performed with spirit and conviction, far from the "Paranoid" with panpipes facade I feared when I first heard of the venture. Favourites include "Magus" (The Wizard), "Funambulus Domesticus" (National Acrobat), "Via Gravis" (A Hard Road) and Oculi Filioli" (Junior's Eyes).

Any who were enthralled by Cold Meat Industry's trips into medieval folk and neo-Baroque chamber music will enjoy this, as will any who found themselves enjoying Apocalyptica against their better judgement. And, obviously, Sabbath fanatics will need to spark a few up and explore this extraordinary tribute to the greatest rock band of all time. "Eheu Deus!"

Metal-Rules.com
http://www.metal-rules.com/

And now for something completely different...I received this disc in the mail this week and I must admit, it took me a couple of listens to get through it. Not that it was a hard listen,it's just.....different!!!

Rondellus are a 5-peice band from Tallinn, Estonia that pay tribute to Sabbath on this 12 track CD. What's different about this is that they play the songs in 14th century-style medieval music, complete with instruments such as the Hurdy-Gurdy, Lute, Bagpipe, Fiddle and Frame Drum, accompanied with trance-like vocals sung in Latin(?). Man, you can only imagine the new meaning songs such as "War Pigs," "The WIzard," and "Spiral Architect" take on when performed this way. It's like going on a trip back in time to a another era and it gives a definite eerie quality to the whole Sabbath mystique.... Very cool!!!

To be honest,I never would have imagined myself checking something like this out, but being a big Sabbath fan, I couldn't pass it up. If you're expecting another "Nativity in Black," forget it...but if you want an eye opener, check it out at http://www.sabbatum.com

Aural Innovations
http://www.aural-innovations.com/

Rondellus are a gathering of 3-5 musicians who hail from Estonia and play music based in the 14th century using only instruments and vocal techniques from that time. Maria Staak is the brains behind this project and did all of the arrangements. So what exactly is this???? Well, this is Black Sabbath songs sung in Latin and played with only ancient instruments. Pretty strange you say? well it is, but is it good? YES........ If you like Black Sabbath then you must hear this. Put this on late at night and just relax and imagine.. Most of the songs you will recognize right away like War Pigs, Solitude, Planet Caravan, as the arrangements are nearly the same as the original. War pigs starts off the CD and is basically all vocals and a drum. Very eerie and cool.. Some songs have a hurdy gurdy, gothic harp, organsitrum, fiddle, and bells. Some of the other songs played are After Forever, Behind the Walls of Sleep, the Wizard, A hard Road, Juniors Eyes, Symptom of the Universe and A Spiral Architect. I think it is pretty amazing stuff and a great project. Congratulations on a success.

Rock Rage
http://www.rockrage.com/

Hold on kiddies, for I'm about to get medieval on your ass, literally. Our current 'Spotlight' features a five-piece European band that just released a collection of Black Sabbath covers on their latest album, Sabbatum.

This is no ordinary tribute to Black Sabbath. Rondellus is a quintet from Tallinn, Estonia that has been performing together since 1993 behind the drive of co-founders Maria and Robert Staak. In lieu of the super-chunk Tony Iommi guitar riffs and all that we know to be metal, Rondellus recorded twelve Black Sabbath tracks sung in Latin and performed with medieval instruments such as the lute, organistrum, frame drum, gothic harp, and the hurdy-gurdy.

This is definitely not for everyone. Like myself, being a huge music fan and open-minded will help with your introduction of Sabbatum, which was released on Beg the Bug Records. With Gregorian chants and all that you perceive to sound medieval, Rondellus completely reincarnate songs like "The Wizard," "Planet Caravan," and "Solitude" into new life through 14th century music. Even though the songs' pace may not keep up to the familiar speed, the Black Sabbath presence is still there and recognizable. That's evident immediately with the first track, "War Pigs" or "Verres Militares" in Latin. In case you feel like singing along, but need a little brushing up on your Latin, the song titles and lyrics are all there for you to follow along.

Sabbatum is quite an interesting take on the legendary Black Sabbath. A definite must have for the die-hard Black Sabbath fans looking to add to their collection or for the open-minded music fan looking for something new and different.

Unrestrained! Magazine
http://www.unrestrainedmag.com

If someone ever told me that Estonia's medieval music band Rondellus (or any classic/medieval band for the matter) would put out an album of Black Sabbath classics sung in Latin, I'd think they were fucking mad. Turns out there is such an album, and it is pretty damn good, yet very different. While the overall structure of the band is still there, meaning you can still kind of grasp the chanting drive of "War Pigs" and other song sections that Black Sabbath fans have imbedded in their skulls after years of playing the music repeatedly, most of the music here is very sedated and slow moving-sometimes unrecognizable. That said, the band's interpretations are very hypnotic and beautiful. Gone are the darker qualities of the originals and included into the fold is this majestic flow of harmonies textured around some talented musicianship. Sure, songs like "Symptom of the Universe" and "The Wizard" give off different vibes, but the fact that a band from Estonia covered Sabbath shows just how much of an impact the Sabs had on music. Either that, or it was the only music on the jukebox in an Estonian bar and they had to work with it.

StonerRock.com
http://www.stonerrock.com

At first, I thought that this was a compilation of cover tunes, but then I realized that it wasn't...doh! NEVER JUDGE A BOOK BY IT'S COVER! In fact, Rondellus has a full album of light string and choir vocal renditions of Black Sabbath greats...that is greatest hits...

I don't know what language it is in (call me ignorant), but the address for the band is from Estonia... It's haunting Eastern sounding chants at times with organ, or light percussive instruments...sometimes it's very church sounding and quite strange, but yet practically normal sounding in the same...Sabbath? Sabbath... I guess it reminds me of something out of 700 year old Catholic history or something. Great harmonies, melodies...arrangements...unlike any other approach on Sabbath tunes I have ever heard.

These songs are heavier than elevator light, in fact, I am rather proud of these cats. They have managed to bang out such hits as: War Pigs, A National Acrobat, Behind the Walls of Sleep...etc, in rather nice taste and with such a minimal approach...

You really should check this out, it's beyond tongue in cheek for the true Sabbath lover...it's Sabbath lovers doing what they can in their own way. Worth a spin for sure. Nice vocals weird instrumentation that is more unique than any other cover band before them...check it out for something new, rustic and different.

Beat the Blizzard
http://home.tiscali.no/blizzard

Have you ever wondered how Black Sabbath would have sounded in the dark Middle Ages? Of course you haven't. It's an impossible thought, isn't it? Or would it be possible to toy with such thought and actually do something about it? RONDELLUS from Estonia did and the result of their creative thinking can be heard on their new album "Sabbatum". RONDELLUS is not a metal band. This band is as far from metal and modern amplifier assisted noise you can possibly get. So why would a band, a group of serious singers and musicians with a deep and profound interest in medieval and renaissance music, want to make their own and very personal interpretations of Black Sabbath songs? One answer to that could simply be that they love Black Sabbath. Another answer could be that the songs from this great band has unlimited potential and an aura around them that set them free from time and space, like traditional classical music. I don't know the answer. What I know is that "Sabbatum" is the most awesome Black Sabbath tribute album I've ever heard! Imagine songs like "War Pigs", "After Forever" and a lot of others less know Black Sabbath songs played with instruments like hurdy-gurdy, organistrum, lute, gothic harp, frame drums and fiddle. It's hard to imagine, isn't it? All songs are sung in Latin and the overall atmosphere on this album takes you on a journey hundreds of years back in time. It's the most unique "metal" album I've listened to. And I mean really unique! You won't believe it until you hear it. Guaranteed!!

Let It Rock
http://mauzon.com/dme/

The most original tribute to BLACK SABBATH, the work by renowned Estonian purveyors of genuine medieval music sees Ozzy-era classics re-shaped and - an amazing thing! - translated to Latin. Remarkable and significant is that the only album not represented herein is "Technical Ecstasy", the one belonging to the future rather than past. Going back in time once more proves the heavenly, not hellish source of this music: bariton and tenors make "After Forever" sound very sinister but, with Miriam Andersen's and Maria Staak's voices, "War Pigs" takes sublime chorale heights. If these were a natural choice, the oddest one could be "The Wizard", a pure blues originally that seems difficult to translate into RONDELLUS' formula. Solution was found in distilling the folk roots of the piece and putting them forth with Andersen's gothic harp and Tonu Joesaar's fiddle. At the same time "Solitude" receives another angle, positive organ replacing the Iommi's flute yet retaining rural feel in Staak's soprano and Veikko Kilver's tenor.

Strong vocal focus may be an unexpected feature - especially when a violin duet of "A National Acrobat" and "Symptom Of The Universe" two organistrums offset voices to quite a monotone sound - but balance springs from fantastic hurdy gurdy of "Junior's Eyes", soothing if compared to the valediction Oz sang to his dad. The full force of the band comes with uniquely mesmerising "Behind The Wall Of Sleep" delivered by eight-strong line-up; the song gained a suitable trance ambience which, along with "Wheels Of Confusion", can be attributed to the gurgling witches brew - there are burning cauldrons everywhere in the booklet. The more chilling then ring drops of lute in "Planet Caravan" and the more exciting the bagpipe accompanying the march of "A Hard Road". The selection of unlikely material shows how deep an understanding of SABBATH music RONDELLUS have hitting the very heart of each piece, stripping all the extravaganza of "Spiral Architect" to just voice and lute. Forget "Nativity In Black" - this is a real magic and wizardry.

Rambles
http://www.rambles.net

Tribute bands can be a waste of space. Bands whose sole purpose is to play only the music of a specific band or musician in exactly the style of the original performer aren't adding much to the musical melting pot. There's no originality or individuality there, just rote regurgitation of someone else's craft.

Rondellus is not that sort of tribute band.

Rondellus, based in Tallinn, Estonia, plays in the delicate, highly refined style of the Middle Ages. With three previous recordings of historic music under their collective belt, the band decided to grow in a different direction. The music on Sabbatum, while sounding as courtly as can be, is drawn from the heavy metal archives of Black Sabbath. Really. Consequently, you shouldn't expect to hear electric guitars or drum kits on Sabbatum, but more genre-appropriate instruments such as the harp, hurdy gurdy, lute, psaltery and fiddle.

You won't recognize the titles, which have been aptly translated into Latin, but the album includes the likes of "Verres militares (War Pigs)," "Post murum somnii (Behind the Wall of Sleep)," "Magus (The Wizard)," "Rotae confusionis (Wheels of Confusion)" and "Architectus urbis caelestis (Spiral Architect)." Lyrics, too, have been rendered in Latin, sounding now more like something from the Gregorian tradition of sacred chants.

What's amazing is how well this album works. You likely won't be tempted to bang your head at any point of the recording, but you may well be amazed at the fluid alchemy from heavy metal to heady medieval. And any fears that this album will be dry listening should vanish early in the first track; the vocals immediately prove themselves strong, and the percussion line that jumps in for the ride adds extra spice to the sound. Throughout this truly unique recording, tight instrumentals and solid vocals keep the music interesting even as you strain to hear traces of each tune's heavy metal roots.

According to the band's website, band members are Maria Staak (vocals, hurdy gurdy, organistrum), Robert Staak (frame drum, percussion, lute, organistrum), Veikko Christian Kiiver (vocals), Miriam Andersen (vocals, gothic harp) and Tonu Joesaar (fiddle). Guests on the album are Roland Lill (fiddle), Tuule Kann (organistrum, psaltery), Mihkel Raud (bells), Toivo Tulev (vocals), Taniel Kirikal (vocals), Marju Riisikamp (positive organ) and Catlin Jaago (bagpipe).

Don't be afraid to check this out even if heavy metal is something you usually go to great lengths to avoid. To the casual listener, Sabbatum is an extremely pleasant excursion to the Middle Ages; for the more discerning ear, it's a whole lot more.

Doom Metal
http://www.doom-metal.com

Have you ever wondered how Black Sabbath would have sounded had Ozzy and the gang been born in the Middle Ages? Well, to be honest, neither had I. But Estonian "early music band" Rondellus have. They did more then just wonder however, and recorded one of the most unique and interesting cover albums ever made! Rondellus has been promoting medieval and renaissance music since 1993 and already recorded 3 other albums (nothing to do with metal). I'm not sure how they now came upon the idea to cover Black Sabbath, but I am glad they did.

Twelve Black Sabbath songs have been re-arranged and re-written (incl. translating all lyrics and song titles to Latin) to truly place them in the Middle Ages. Everything is also performed on medieval instruments like for example a Hurdy-Gurdy and Lute, giving the songs a truly medieval feel. However despite the songs being heavily reworked, you can still recognize all the songs with relative ease. Some are dead on easy like 'Post Aeternitatem' (After Forever) while others might take a bit of time.

While I believe this to be one of the most interesting, creative and wonderful CD's that I have come across in a long time, I do have one point of criticism. Black Sabbath has often managed to create heavy, thick sounding songs. This thick and heavy sound has been lost in the transformation. Sometimes the focus on Gregorian chants overshadows the often very fragile music. Esp. with the opener 'Verres Militares' (War Pigs) you almost feel like you've entered a church where they are singing Latin hymns of praise.

All in all I will recommend this album to anybody who likes more than just metal. It doesn't really matter if you're a Black Sabbath fan or not. The idea behind this CD is practically enough reason to get it. Compliment that with the obvious skill of Rondellus and the recognizable Black Sabbath songs, and you've got something worth getting.

Live 4 Metal
http://www.live4metal.com

The music of Black Sabbath needs no introduction at all, but I think Estonian band Rondellus do. Rondellus are early music/medieval musicians (of the highest quality I may add) who've been together for 9 years. Instead of guitars, bass and drums they play instruments such as the fiddle, harp, hurdy gurdy and bagpipes. And instead of ear piercing screams their vocals are performed in Latin and ooze tranquillity. So where's the Black Sabbath connection I hear you ask. Sabbatum (latin for Sabbath) is a tribute to Black Sabbath and features 12 Ozzy era covers, all performed in the style mentioned above.

I guess this may be sacrilege to some die hard Sabbath fans, but those with an open mind and those into the gentler side of music, will love this. Essentially the melody from each song is left intact, which is obvious I know. But the rest of the song has been altered beyond recognition. Behind the Wall of Sleep features duel female operatic vocals and musically is backed by fiddles and percussion, After Forever is performed archipelago by 3 male vocalists. The Georgian chant style transforms the song completely, but highlights the beauty the original version contained.

My two favourites are Solitude and Planet Caravan. Solitude is simply stunning. The male vocals of Veikko Kiiver capture the feeling of the song perfectly. Haunting and desolate. When the female vocals of Maria Staak join in, the song has never sounded better. It even surpasses the original. Planet Caravan is dominated by the operatic tones of Maria Staak. Again it's hauntingly beautiful. The fiddle again is utilised and it's melancholy emissions send shivers down the spine. Final mention goes to A Hard Road, which is backed by bagpipes. Even in their drug fuelled heyday, Sabbath could never have been this crazy.

Whilst listening to this, I wonder what Ozzy and co will make of this when/if they get to hear it. I hope they enjoy it as much as I have.

Electric Basement
http://www.electricbasement.com

There is little new coming from the bulk of "tribute" discs at present but here be a refreshing, nay, exciting change of course for both tributes and lovers of Heavy-Metal legends BLACK SABBATH. RONDELLUS is a group of Estonian professional musicians who have amassed four full discs of music centered on both the Secular and the Sacred of medieval and folk themes. The group performs their repertoire only on traditional instruments such as the Hurdy-Gurdy, Lute, Bagpipe, Fiddle and Frame Drum with some of the most entrancing vocal accompaniments ever likely to be heard and their latest project, an unlikely collection of BLACK SABBATH standards sung in Latin, would seem to be instant Grammy material.

Through the years BLACK SABBATH has been done to death by an army of rote copiers but now songs like, "War Pigs," "The Wizard," "Spiral Architect" and "Symptom of the Universe" are resurrected with an intangible understanding and passion for the depth that the music always held. No, these versions are not "Metal" but they are heavy nonetheless and I think that it is the transposition from English to Latin that really caries it all off. The music could be accepted by an ear uninitiated to the sounds of SABBATH but the long time SABBATH fan will be elated to find fields of sound possibilities heretofore unexplored.

The song selection is a plus as well with choices being made on tonal compatibility rather than with undo consideration to familiarity of title, still you will know everything here. In addition to that already mentioned you have versions of, "Junior's Eyes," "A National Acrobat," "Behind the wall of Sleep," "After Forever," "Solitude," "Wheels of Confusion," "Planet Caravan" and "A hard Road." Each track is obviously the product of many hours of intense labor still the result flows as easy and as naturally as the originals and are obviously fresher than their thirty-year-old inspirations.

Few records recorded in tribute can be considered true artistic triumphs; in fact this is for my ears the first. I can only hope that someone on the Grammy nomination committee finds a copy of the disc so that it might be given the recognition that it so eminently deserves.

The Latin translations of the original lyrics are included in the accompanying booklet and the whole package may be purchased on-line through www.sabbatum.com . - David L. Wilson

Michel's Metal Crypt
http://www.metalcrypt.com

In order to approach this really original Black Sabbath tribute album, one must forget for a second that he's going to actually listen to Black Sabbath covered tracks. And this is, because Rondellus have taken the freedom to "cut and sew" the tracks in question so that they can perform it along with their style.

That would be not a hard thing if Rondellus was just another heavy/rock band. But this Estonian consort is specialized in medieval music, not the heavy guitars arranged medieval covers the way that In Extremo have done so far, but actual medieval music covering an era from Gregorian Chant to early Rennaisance. Which means that the instruments that are used are the ones that would be expected while this music was played: Harp, lute, hurdy-gurdy, psaltery, portable organ and the like. Thus, taking representative riffs and musical passages from the Black Sabbath songs, they create orchestrations using these instruments. In addition, all the lyrics are translated into Latin.

So, if I had to answer the question if I'm going to listen to medieval music or Black Sabbath tracks, I'd say without doubt "both". The structure, orchestration and general feeling is that of a typical medieval/early music consort, but it is highly obvious that it's Black Sabbath tracks we're talking about. Maybe the average metalhead will find difficulties understanding that, but I am certain that after a few spins, they should get used to the overall feeling of "Sabbatum".

It's not really recommended for people that won't look further than the wholistic metal mental frame, or for Black Sabbath die-hards that think that "Nativity in Black" was a sacrilege. In my opinion (as a passionate admirer of everything concerning medieval music and its ways), open mindness should be mustered in order to admire this excellent album, from its both aspects - as a typical sample of music of the early ages, along with a tribute album to one of the most important heavy bands of our time.

The Final Verdict
http://www.thefinalverdict.net

I'd be lying if I said I wasn't disgusted with the sheer number of tribute albums coming out these days, of course Black Sabbath was one of, if not the first to recieve a tribute album, it was cool then but that idea is a dead horse anymore there's a million and one tribute albums out there already, and it is typically a cheap way to get your band recognized. I just pass them up now a days, while there's some good musicians and covers on those album, I yearn for something different...and low and behold that can be found on Rondellus's tribute to Black Sabbath entitled Sabbatum.

So you may be asking what is fresh and original about this album, I guess I could say everything and nothing. Upon learning about Rondellus I've come to find out they're a little behind the times, about 1100 years behind the times to be more precise, and in today's market that's quite fresh. They hail from Estonia and play renaissance faires typically and Sabbatum is their 4th album, instrumentation includes lots of gregorian styled chanting (while male and female lead vocals), hurdy-gurdy, organistrum, lute, frame drum, gothic harp and fiddle. You can read more about them at their website here: http://www.sabbatum.com.

So as you may have realized by now Sabbatum is a medieval tribute to Black Sabbath, all the songs have the lyrics translated to latin and are played on authentic medieval instruments. Its very cool, and very different. Songwise I must admit the more you listen to it the more you pick up. Upon first listen I didn't recognize very much, just "A National Acrobat" which is the most straight forward adaptation, kind of what I expected the rest of the CD to sound like. It uses a fiddle to replace the guitar lead and has a soothing female vocal melody to replace Ozzy's hoarseness. Its still one of my favorites. I will say "Behind the Wall of Sleep" is a similiar adaptation, not too much variation on the original. Meanwhile "Symptom of the Universe" and "After Forever" got total facelift and other than the lyrics don't sound very much like covers (and because they're in latin, they still don't) they're both chant oriented.

Most of the rest of the songs are much more subtle covers, you'll be able to pick up chords and vocal melodies after a listen or two, perhaps sooner, I guess it depends how much Sabbath you listen too (I must confess I haven't listened to the original albums in quite some time, in fact I've never heard the originals of "Junior's Eyes" and "A Hard Road"). My favorite tracks are probably "Junior's Eyes", "A National Acrobat" and "The Wizard". "Junior's Eyes" and "The Wizard" both contain some great harp and fiddle arrangements, down right beautiful actually. I also think "Solitude", "Planet Caravan", and "Spiral Architect" are very well done. I'm a big fan of the harp and lute sounds, so I'm biased there.

In the end I must recommend this to fans of medieval music (even if you don't like Black Sabbath). The arrangements are so different I really don't feel like I'm listening to Sabbath, if you like Sabbath and medieval styles arrangements, instruments and vocal melodies this will definitely be your cup of tea. I undoubtably enjoy this, and its something different to round out your collection. If you don't like medieval music though, I can't give you a reason to enjoy this.

Loud! Magazine
http://www.geocities.com/loudster

I'm not too sure if people in the Middle Ages would have sung too loudly about wizards spreading happiness everywhere or the Pope on the end of a rope, but it they were to do so, it may well have sounded like this. Rondellus is a five-piece medieval chamber orchestra from Estonia who has woven a little time-travelling magic in an attempt to show what Black Sabbath may have been like if they have existed in the 14th century--in the brief time they would have had before they died of either starvation or the plague, or got burnt at the stake.

Rondellus do rather more than just strip back Sabbath's songs to acoustic versions played on hurdy-gurdys, bagpipes and lutes. The arrangements have also been transcibed into a medieval style and that's somewhat problematic because some of the tracks don't really come across as anything like the originals. 'Magus' is quite obviously 'The Wizard' even with a Gothic harp and fiddle taking the place of guitar and harmonica, and 'Solitudo', 'Planetarum vagatio', 'Via gravis' and 'Architectus urbis caelestis' are all quite distinctly the songs they are meant to be, and for those of you who don't know Latin, they are 'Solitude', 'Planet Caravan', 'A Hard Road' and 'Spiral Architect'. But the versions here of 'War Pigs', 'After Forever', 'Wheels of Confusion' and 'Symptom of the Universe' are just arranged so differently Rondellus could well be covering the Beatles or just making stuff up on the spot, and the lyrics, which are in Latin of course, are not very helpful either.

As interesting an experiment as this is then, it's sometimes hard to figure to whom this is supposed to appeal. Is it meant to win Black Sabbath listeners over to medieval chamber music, or listeners of medieval chamber music to Black Sabbath? Sabbatum is a remarkable and unique concept that is sure to get a few healthy debates going.

Tartarean Desire
http://www.tartareandesire.net

Black Sabbath is one of the most important bands in the history of modern rock music or even modern music in general but have you ever wondered what they would have sounded like if they had been performing 500 or 600 years ago? Perhaps not but these thoughts came early to Mihkel Raud, formerly known as the lead singer and songwriter of an Estonian band called Mr. Lawrence, who is the producer and brain behind this project to recreate the classic Black Sabbath tunes into an early or medieval music version.

In his quest to find suitable musicians his choice came upon Rondellus, a well-known early music band from Talliin (the capital of Estonia), consisting of five professional and classically trained musicians. All the electric instruments have been replaced by harps, lutes, fiddles, organs and so on while Ozzy's unique voice has been replaced by something equally unusual - male and female medieval vocals that sound crystal clear and very powerful as if sung in a church.

Also, all lyrics have been translated into latin which is my favorite language next to English. It feels a little weird hearing Black Sabbath this way but I really like this album. Fans of the band should without a doubt check this album out because this kind of tribute album has never been done before, at least not to my knowledge. Perhaps the melodies have been slightly lost in a couple of tracks but Rondellus have still done a very good job.

Tombstone
http://www.tombstone.gr

A surprise from every aspect. A band from Estonia playing Black Sabbath covers in Latin and with Medieval instruments. The music can be described as new age, with the chants and the acoustic instruments and it rocks. It simply rocks. The guys have done an excellent job, translating the lyrics and adapting the music in their own style. The nature of the music itself, being dark and heavy, helps them a lot, since it makes perfect sense. Once you listen the songs they sound so natural that you have to wonder why no one has tried it before. Among the songs covered you'll find all time classics like "War Pigs", "The Wizard", "Symptom Of The Universe" and "Planet Caravan". We loved the CD and we bet that people with an open mind will love it too. It's a different approach to some well known and loved songs and the approach is something more than simply interesting. For more info check out www.sabbatum.com and get the album. You'll be surprised.

Penny Dreadful
http://www.pennydreadful.de

The fact that I'm a sucker for medieval music is well known to almost all our regular readers. For that reason, during the first days that "Sabbatum" was released and mp3's were hosted at the consort's site, I received at least 2 emails, 3 message-board posts towards me and 2 I.M. conversations concerning this release. Not to mention that I like Black Sabbath a lot, as well.

Rondellus is a medieval music consort from Estonia. They have some previous releases already (and I plan on grabbing 'em sooner or later), and on this "Sabbatum" CD they attempt to approach classic Black Sabbath tracks the way they played music so far - the medieval way. But don't expect actual covers of the songs a la In Extremo. Rondellus have no heavy sound at all. Their style is pure medieval music in the vein of Gregorian Chant and the like, and that is the way they have treated the Black Sabbath tracks. Thus, they have kept the main riffs and worked on them as if they were tracks of the era in reference. In addition, they have translated the lyrics into Latin.

The result is a music rich in interchanging melodies, with stunning male and female vocals going along the sounds of psaltery, hurdy-gurdy and the like, and a distant yet definite echo of the original Black Sabbath tracks. I personally love the wits the songs have been worked with, the effort that has been taken regarding the orchestrations and the general atmosphere of the whole album.

If you are a die-hard Black Sabbath admirer, I really don't know if this album is for you, if you're the kind of person that thinks it's a sacrilege of altering one single note in any BS track. If you let yourself see through the originals and understand why this album is so incredibly unique, go for it! The same applies if you are fond of medieval music the way I am. Even if you don't like Black Sabbath!!

Review from a happy customer in Switzerland

Dear Rondellus Crew,

thank you very much for your Sabbatum CD. It has arrived here on Friday and since received some staggering ten spins on my stereo. I don't really know how to start off my short review other than attesting that this album is a lovingly crafted work of art. There are hundreds of Black Sabbath cover bands and there are hundreds of minstrel bands and all of them have the right to do whatever their inspiration takes them to. But few steer this carefully between the borders of uniqueness and business. I will admit that I would not buy any other Rondellus album since I am far from familiar with mediaeval compositions; hence, what you would have to produce is an exageratedly melodious album according to my 20th/21st century ears - which, in the end, may not have much to do with the original compositions.

And yet I wait for the next 'Rondellus plays rock music' album. (Talk about artistic freedom…!) In fact, this thought arose rather swiftly: what band should be covered next? - The only one which to me seemed really feasible in its entirety was Led Zeppelin, followed by - perhaps for a mixed album - The Who, Alan Parsons (Project), and some Iron Maiden songs. This is based on the consideration of lyrical content, melodiousity, and power even in reduced-speed compositions.

As for the Latin lyrics on Sabbatum - I am left speechless. Who would have thought that this would work out this nicely! Surely, I am no longer very familiar with Latin vocabulary, and much less with grammar (although I had the impression that it should read "Filius Dei luminam donat," on "Architectus urbis caelestis", a wonderful version by the Staaks of a wonderful song.), but I believe that the themes of the lyrics have been 'un-modernised' by very subtle adaptions of vocabulary, making the issues as timeless as they are.

And then: the music - incredible. Incredible! Who could ever have imagined to hear "War Pigs" or "Wheels Of Confusion" without the signature guitar riffs? Or "The Wizard" this slow, for example? At first, I thought that there had to be a basic band to which the musicians listed after each song in the booklet were added… how else would the sound ever live up to the original. But it is absolutely not necessary; your arrangements are equally minimalist and logical! Nevertheless, without any additional propositions, I fancied putting some more instruments on some tracks, just because I cannot understand how two or three instruments could 'sell' a Sabbath song…. Inversedly, it is wonderful to hear single instruments as precisely as the opportunity is given here - a portative organ all on its own! (Since the time I wrote an essay on mediaeval music at university I wanted to know about this instrument's sound qualities.)

But you stick to slower arrangements for quiet instruments exclusively. So, listening to "Via Gravis", I fancied hearing this track - being the fastest and most 'mainstream' - arranged for loud instruments as well. This, of course, would be a severe distraction of your band's philosophy, I assume. (On a related note, please allow me this one question: is it true that the voice, for example a choir, has been used in compositions for loud instruments as well?)

Thank you very much for this exceptional album. I wish Rondellus all the best for its future projects!

Kind regards,
Jan Groessinger, Switzerland

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