Spotlight on Pagan Music

A weekly feature highlighting the best music from Pagan, Pagan – influenced, and occult artists. You can hear many of these artists on my weekly radio show and podcast, or you can check out the annual “Darker Shade of Pagan” music special available for download online.

NEBELHEXE

Andrea Haugen of Nebelhexe

Band Bio:
Nebelhexe is the charismatic artist Andrea Haugen, who has mesmerized the alternative music scene since ‘94. Her early love for British gothic, new wave and underground music brought her to London in ‘90 where she soon became part of the subculture scenes. Always searching, and always having had a fascination for the supernatural, life’s mysteries and animals, she connected with various magic/pagan/witch circles. Seeking to explore and upgrade the understanding for the shadow side of the self, Andrea was soon involved with notorious magical and artistic performances.

Nebelhexe web site.
Nebelhexe MySpace page.

Song download:
Sample clip of “Totems”
Sample clip of “Hel – Goddess of the Underworld”

Nebelhexe’s song “Celtic Crows” appears on the 5th annual “Darker Shade of Pagan” special available for download, here.

Video download:
“Wake to Wither” (.mov file)

Reviews:
“Haugen was originally known for her more folk-oriented endeavors with Hagalaz Runedance and for the more brooding sounds of Aghast. She is also involved with occult and pagan groups and her writing and art has been published in these circles, and those interests are clearly the principal influence in her music. The result is ominously dark quasi-traditional folk with gothic and pagan elements.” – Sea of Tranquility

“The majority of the songs use subdued keyboards, tribal drumming and anonymous, strange noises. Several of the songs feature distorted guitars, hidden underneath the dark cloud of atmosphere provided by Andrea Haugen?s ghostly voice. It?s not a deep voice, but it?s not quite high either; it is both enchanting and inviting, yet simultaneously unsettling.” – Ink19

“Andrea Haugen formerly known as Hagalaz’ Runedance begins a new chapter of her musical career by reviving her previous name and releasing a new album as Nebelhexe. On Laguz ? Within the Lake, Andrea does not completely abandon the realm of acoustic folk but reaches back into the 80’s and the early 90’s gothic and synth pop scenes for some inspiration. Thus, while the music still retains the qualities of Hagalaz’ Runedance due to Andrea’s unique voice and minimal instrumentation, The Cure, Dead Can Dance, and Sisters of Mercy all serve as influences on the new compositions.” – Deadtide

My Two Cents:
Most Pagans will know Haugen by her work as Hagalaz’ Runedance. While her new project “Nebelhexe” shares some similarities to the tribal folk of those earlier CDs, she has branched out into electric and electronic musical forms. But no matter the musical backing the draw of Haugen’s music is the passionate voice she brings to her work. A voice that is inspired by ancient European paganism and its revival. Nebelhexe has a new CD entitled “Essensual” due out soon on Black Lotus Records. The newer work promises to be more “pop” in its approach and Haugen has developed a perfume to be sold along with the CD.

Further Reading:
ADSOP Interview with Andrea Haugen, older blog entry on Nebelhexe.

Tags: Paganism