Sonne Hagal

Lore & Background

The band's core line-up formed in 1992 in Rathenow, Brandenburg, drawing from the local punk rock and experimental pop music scene. Their early records in the 1990s were electronic music. A breakthrough came with the 2000 10" album Sinnreger, where the band adopted conventions from dark wave and neofolk genres. That album includes the German folk song 'Herbstlied', a poem by expressionist poet Else Lasker-Schüler, and a track based on an agitation song by Rosa Luxemburg.

Subsequent releases deepened the band's interest in runes, Eddic poetry, and nature lyricism, and featured collaborations with Andreas Ritter of Forseti and Kim Larsen of Of the Wand & the Moon. On the split release 'Sonne Hagal / Polarzirkel' (2003), the band collaborated with electronic sound artists Polarzirkel and Nerthus to create atonal music with ritualistic elements. The 2005 single 'Dygel' saw collaborations with Ian Read and Matt Howden.

The band's name reflects its thematic interest in runes and Northern European mysticism: 'Sonne' is German for sun, and 'hagal' is a variant spelling of the rune 'hagall' (or 'hagalaz'). According to the singer, modern people can learn from ancient religion and philosophy, stressing the advantages of polytheism, harmony with nature, finding holiness in many places, and viewing humans as part of nature.

Reader's Guide

Sonne Hagal occupies a distinctive niche in the neofolk and experimental music landscape, blending electronic origins with dark wave and neofolk conventions. Their significance lies in their consistent thematic exploration of runes, Eddic poetry, and nature lyricism, which aligns with broader currents in neofolk that draw on pre-Christian Northern European spirituality. The band's anonymity and their collaborations with key figures like Andreas Ritter and Kim Larsen underscore their integration into the neofolk network. Their work with electronic artists Polarzirkel and Nerthus on atonal, ritualistic music shows a willingness to push beyond genre boundaries. The inclusion of a poem by Else Lasker-Schüler and a track based on Rosa Luxemburg's agitation song on Sinnreger indicates a literary and political dimension. The singer's public statements on polytheism and nondualism provide a philosophical framework that has resonated with audiences interested in alternative spiritualities. Overall, Sonne Hagal's legacy is as a thoughtful, esoteric act that has contributed to the depth and diversity of neofolk.

Did You Know?

• The band's name combines the German word for sun with the rune 'hagall' (also known as 'hagalaz').
• Their breakthrough album Sinnreger (2000) includes a poem by expressionist poet Else Lasker-Schüler.
• Members of the band have chosen to remain anonymous.
• The band's 2003 split release with Polarzirkel is titled 'Sonne Hagal / Polarzirkel', not 'Sonne Hagal vs. Polarzirkel'.