German folk rock leaders Schandmaul celebrate nearly 25 years with a new masterpiece.

Schandmaul, the undisputed leaders of German medieval folk rock, unveil their newest masterful hit with their eleventh studio album, Knüppel aus dem Sack, out June 10, 2022 via Napalm Records. Since their debut, Wahre Helden, released in 1999, the Munich-based outfit has been a reliable force of top-notch, high-level folk rock full of exciting, captivating storytelling, performed by genre-trademarked instruments such as bagpipes, hurdy-gurdy and folk flutes, all topped with the unmistakable skills of vocalist Thomas Lindner.

With six Top 10 albums on the German charts (with their 2016 highlight Leuchtfeuer reaching #1 and most recently 2019’s Artus at #2), two Echo Award nominations, Gold status for Traumtänzer (2011) and Unendlich (2014), successful tours and numerous festival appearances at the likes of Wave Gotik Treffen, M’era Luna and the legendary Wacken Open Air, as well as millions of streams on digital platforms, Schandmaul have summited to the top of the folk rock scene without a doubt. In 2022, the unit proves once again that they have conquered this position and will stay there. The title of their upcoming masterpiece, Knüppel aus dem Sack, refers to a fairytale by the Brothers Grimm, “The Wishing-Table, the Gold-Ass, and the Cudgel in the Sack” (original German name: “Tischlein deck dich, Goldesel und Knüppel aus dem Sack”). Knüppel aus dem Sack shows the band at their undeniable peak as songwriters, storytellers and entertainers and embodies another high that is not only directed to die-hard fans but to everyone keen on diving into the magnificent universe of the German frontrunners. The record’s title track immediately transports the listener into the band’s unmistakable sonic universe, where sounds of medieval times harmonize with modern influences and create catchy anthems, as only Schandmaul can create it. Atmospheric bustle “Königsgarde” (featuring guests Feuerschwanz and Saltatio Mortis) sets off a brilliant firework and proves – along with tracks like the haunting “Niamh” and the buoyant, cheeky performances “Das Gerücht”, “Der Pfeifer”, “Der Quacksalber” and “Glück auf!” (featuring Fiddler’s Green) – that there is a hit lurking at every corner of this exciting offering! Another collection of haunting stories awaits with “Der Flug”, “Tatzelwurm” or “Der elfseitige Würfel”, allowing you to escape from everyday life and lose yourself in a sonic universe of words and music. Packed with atmospheric folk rock, Schandmaul’s Knüppel aus dem Sack is yet another exclamation mark and sparkling jewel full of lightheartedness and bewitching adventures in their almost 25-year band history!

Tracklist: 1. Knüppel aus dem Sack 2. Königsgarde 3. Das Gerücht 4. Der Pfeifer 5. Tatzelwurm 6. Der Flug 7. Der Quacksalber 8. Luft und Liebe 9. Glück auf! 10. Irgendwann 11. Niamh 12. Der elfseitige Würfel 13. Long John Silver

Schandmaul are: Thomas Lindner (vocals, acoustic guitar, keyboards), Martin Duckstein (guitar, banjo, lute, cister, backing vocals), Matthias Richter (bass, standing bass), Stefan Brunner (drums, percussion), Saskia Forkert (Hurdy gurdy, backing vocals) and Birgit Muggenthaler (whistles, shawm, bagpipes, accordeon, backing vocals).