Qntal
Encyclopedia
Qntal is a German
"electro-medieval" band
founded in 1991 by Michael Popp and Ernst Horn
. They later added vocalist Syrah (aka Sigrid Hausen) to complete the band. It has roots in Estampie
, a band of similar genre but different style; Michael Popp and Syrah are the principal members. Horn left the group in 1999, to concentrate on his other band, Deine Lakaien
. He later formed Helium Vola
in 2001. Philipp Groth (a.k.a. Fil) then joined Qntal.
The band's lyrics are primarily drawn from historical sources. Throughout their first three albums, lyrics were primarily in Latin
, medieval German
, Galician-Portuguese and a few other European tongues. On Qntal IV, the band added a few songs in English
to their body of work.
Qntal has headlined at significant goth and industrial music festivals such as Wave-Gotik-Treffen and M'era Luna
. Qntal's debut US concert took place in September 2004 at Dracula's Ball in Philadelphia
. In 2007, 2008, and 2011 the band was featured in the Bad Faerie Ball in the Baltimore
FaerieCon.
"Qntal" is a made-up word that appeared in one of Syrah's dreams. Its pronunciation varies among sources. However, Syrah herself, during live performances, pronounces it kn̩tal.
Music of Germany
Forms of German-language music include Neue Deutsche Welle , Krautrock, Hamburger Schule, Volksmusik, Classical, German hip hop, trance, Schlager, Neue Deutsche Härte and diverse varieties of folk music, such as Waltz and Medieval metal....
"electro-medieval" band
Band (music)
In music, a musical ensemble or band is a group of musicians that works together to perform music. The following articles concern types of musical bands:* All-female band* Big band* Boy band* Christian band* Church band* Concert band* Cover band...
founded in 1991 by Michael Popp and Ernst Horn
Ernst Horn
Ernst Horn is a German musician who played a crucial part in founding the bands Deine Lakaien, Qntal and Helium Vola.-Biography:...
. They later added vocalist Syrah (aka Sigrid Hausen) to complete the band. It has roots in Estampie
Estampie (band)
Estampie is a German music group, founded in 1985 by Sigrid Hausen , Michael Popp and Ernst Schwindl. The band plays primarily medieval music, with some modern influences from world and minimalist music.-Members:...
, a band of similar genre but different style; Michael Popp and Syrah are the principal members. Horn left the group in 1999, to concentrate on his other band, Deine Lakaien
Deine Lakaien
Deine Lakaien is a German Darkwave group composed of Macedonian vocalist Alexander Veljanov and the classically trained composer, pianist and drummer Ernst Horn.- History :...
. He later formed Helium Vola
Helium Vola
Helium Vola is a German Darkwave or "Electro-Medieval" band founded in 2001 by Ernst Horn, who was also one of the founding members of Qntal. In the contract with Chrom Records Horn insisted on Helium Vola not being seen as a successor of Qntal nor being marketed as such...
in 2001. Philipp Groth (a.k.a. Fil) then joined Qntal.
The band's lyrics are primarily drawn from historical sources. Throughout their first three albums, lyrics were primarily in Latin
Latin
Latin is an Italic language originally spoken in Latium and Ancient Rome. It, along with most European languages, is a descendant of the ancient Proto-Indo-European language. Although it is considered a dead language, a number of scholars and members of the Christian clergy speak it fluently, and...
, medieval German
German language
German is a West Germanic language, related to and classified alongside English and Dutch. With an estimated 90 – 98 million native speakers, German is one of the world's major languages and is the most widely-spoken first language in the European Union....
, Galician-Portuguese and a few other European tongues. On Qntal IV, the band added a few songs in English
English language
English is a West Germanic language that arose in the Anglo-Saxon kingdoms of England and spread into what was to become south-east Scotland under the influence of the Anglian medieval kingdom of Northumbria...
to their body of work.
Qntal has headlined at significant goth and industrial music festivals such as Wave-Gotik-Treffen and M'era Luna
M'era Luna Festival
The M'era Luna is a festival of goth, metal and industrial music. It is held annually on the second weekend of every August, in Hildesheim, Germanyat Flugplatz Hildesheim-Drispenstedt, a former British Army airbase....
. Qntal's debut US concert took place in September 2004 at Dracula's Ball in Philadelphia
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Philadelphia is the largest city in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania and the county seat of Philadelphia County, with which it is coterminous. The city is located in the Northeastern United States along the Delaware and Schuylkill rivers. It is the fifth-most-populous city in the United States,...
. In 2007, 2008, and 2011 the band was featured in the Bad Faerie Ball in the Baltimore
Baltimore
Baltimore is the largest independent city in the United States and the largest city and cultural center of the US state of Maryland. The city is located in central Maryland along the tidal portion of the Patapsco River, an arm of the Chesapeake Bay. Baltimore is sometimes referred to as Baltimore...
FaerieCon.
"Qntal" is a made-up word that appeared in one of Syrah's dreams. Its pronunciation varies among sources. However, Syrah herself, during live performances, pronounces it kn̩tal.
Full length albums and EPs
- Qntal IQntal IQntal I is the debut album of the German Darkwave/Gothic rock/Industrial band Qntal.The album features a mix of medieval lyrics in languages like Latin, Middle High German and Middle French combined with electronic music of the late 1980s Dark Scene....
(Gymnastic Records, 1992) - Qntal IIQntal IIQntal II is the second album of the German Darkwave/Gothic Rock/Industrial band Qntal, released in 1995. It features lyrics by Walther von der Vogelweide and other medieval songs combined with modern electronic sound....
(Gymnastic Records, 1995) - Qntal III: Tristan und IsoldeQntal III: Tristan und IsoldeQntal III is the third album of the German Darkwave/Gothic Rock/Industrial band Qntal, released in 2003.-Track listing:#Owi, Tristan - 5:55#Name der Rose - 5:28#Maiden In The Mor - 6:33#Lamento de Tristano - 1:38#Am Morgen Fruo - 4:52#Lasse - 8:03...
(Stars in the Dark / Noir Records, 2003) - Nihil (Stars in the Dark / Vielklang Musikproduktion, 2003)
- Illuminate (Noir Records, 2004)
- Qntal IV: Ozymandias (Drakkar Entertainment / Noir Records, 2005)
- Qntal V: Silver Swan (Noir Records, 2006)
- Qntal VI: Translucida (2008)
- Purpurea: The Best Of (2008)
Singles
- O, Tristan (2002)
- Entre Moi (2003)
- Cupido (2005)
- Flamma (2005)
- Von den Elben (2006)
- Sumer (2008)
Special releases
- Qntal V: Silver Swan 2CD (2006) Noir Records—Special edition featuring artwork by Brian FroudBrian FroudBrian Froud is an English fantasy illustrator. He lives and works in Devon with his wife, Wendy Froud, who is also a fantasy artist...
Compilation appearances
- Por Mau Tens on German Mystic Sound Sampler Volume IV Zillo (1993)
- Ad Mortem Festinamus on We Came To Dance - Indie Dancefloor Vol. III Sub Terranean (1993)
- Ecce Gratum (Club Mix) on Asleep by Dawn Magazine Presents: DJ Ferrets Underground Mix #1 Asleep by Dawn Magazine (2005)
- Entre Moi Et Mon Amin on Sleepwatching, Vol. 1 DVD Asleep by Dawn Magazine (2005)
- Von Den Elben Music Video on Asleep By Dawn - DJ Ferret's Underground Mix #2 CD/DVD Asleep by Dawn Magazine (2006)
Current members
- Syrah (1991–present) - Vocals
- Michael Popp (1991–present) - Vocals, vielleVielleThe vielle is a European bowed stringed instrument used in the Medieval period, similar to a modern violin but with a somewhat longer and deeper body, five gut strings, and a leaf-shaped pegbox with frontal tuning pegs. The instrument was also known as a fidel or a viuola, although the French...
, sazBaglamathumb|180px|Cura and bağlamaThe bağlama is a stringed musical instrument shared by various cultures in the Eastern Mediterranean, Near East, and Central Asia....
, shawmShawmThe shawm was a medieval and Renaissance musical instrument of the woodwind family made in Europe from the 12th century until the 17th century. It was developed from the oriental zurna and is the predecessor of the modern oboe. The body of the shawm was usually turned from a single piece of wood,...
, oudOudThe oud is a pear-shaped stringed instrument commonly used in North African and Middle Eastern music. The modern oud and the European lute both descend from a common ancestor via diverging paths...
, tarTar (lute)The tār is a long-necked, waisted Iranian instrument. It has been adopted by other cultures and Azerbaijan. The word tar itself means "string" in Persian, though it might have the same meaning in languages influenced by Persian or any other branches of Iranian languages like Kurdish... - Philipp "Fil" Groth (2002–present) - KeyboardKeyboard instrumentA keyboard instrument is a musical instrument which is played using a musical keyboard. The most common of these is the piano. Other widely used keyboard instruments include organs of various types as well as other mechanical, electromechanical and electronic instruments...
s, vocals, guitarGuitarThe guitar is a plucked string instrument, usually played with fingers or a pick. The guitar consists of a body with a rigid neck to which the strings, generally six in number, are attached. Guitars are traditionally constructed of various woods and strung with animal gut or, more recently, with...
s, programming