Corvus Corax - Aschaffenburg 2009

The “Kings of Minstrels” have announced to honour the Aschaffenburg audience with a visit on 11th February. Thus, I went to the picturesque inner city of Aschaffenburg to witness that musical spectacle. In front of the Colos-Saal, a crowd of people stood there waiting for admission which should start at 7.30 pm. Finally, the doors were opened and we were allowed to enter the venue. I noticed again that the Colos-Saal staff is very friendly and professional. Each and every person was welcomed with a smile; there is an almost family atmosphere that I haven´t experienced at other music clubs up to now. Concerning appearance and age, the audience was a variegated one. Firstly, most people went to the bar to have a drink or they inspected the merchandise stood that offered shirts, posters and all that stuff. I found a standing room in the first row´s right corner and so I had the opportunity to have a look at the stage setting that was really opulent and unusual.

Music & Performance
Wearing colourful coats similar to a caftan, the eight musicians entered the stage and welcomed the audience in a mediaeval manner. They ordered the crowd to chant, to drink and to enjoy themselves. Starting with the song `Urmawi´, the band ignited a spark and made their fans dancing and singing. It was fascinating to watch the show, as they performed with an unbelievable virtuosity. I had read before that the band members manufacture many instruments - that might be an additional explanation for the equipment´s unique look. The performance seemed to very exhausting, as the musicians soon took their clothes off and kept on playing wearing a kind of loin cloth. The chosen songs had their origin from all around the world and - of course - from the Middle Age.



Most lyrics were in Latin, but there was also the 3,000 years old Chinese march `Chou Chou Sheng´, as well as a Macedonian and an Albanian dance completed the setlist. CORVUS CORAX also performed the `Ballade de Mercy´, a very old French song that had already been executed by the famous passed away actor Klaus Kinski. It’s unmistakable that the band is committed to the Middle Age. After seven songs, they wanted the audience to undress and to have a drink, as the band needed to have a rest. They definitely deserved it, but it was a bit confusing as it took about 30 minutes until CORVUS CORAX was back on stage. Some people next to me even wondered if there was something going down. Fortunately, Castus Rabensang, Teufel, Wim, Ardor vom Venushügel, Hatz, Kalauer, Jordon und Harmann der Drescher marched in again and seamlessly followed up their amazing programme. While performing the drinking song `In Taberna´, they animated the crowd having a drink by pretending to take a swig of a good wine out of their instruments.



The song `Platerspiel´ seemed to be one of the most favoured songs, as everybody was clapping the hands to the rhythm. The band went wild and so the audience did. Due to the bulky instruments, their performance looked like really hard work, but that didn´t deter them from doing pirouettes and jumping. The band mates often communicated with each other; they smiled a lot and got on well together. The few calm pieces offered to have a little rest, but all in all, they were dominated by the fast and rousing songs that invited to dance. The show was accompanied by a perfectly matching light show. After 23 songs including two encores, the glittering feast came to its end and left an exhausted crowd that acclaimed CORVUS CORAX and crowned the “Kings of Ministrels” again.



Due to the fact, that the band will be on tour until September 2009, I guess that I will attend one of their upcoming shows again. I´m still very impressed by the band´s authenticity that made me forget living in the 21st century.