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Album Review: Cadbodua by Tibetréa

This review was written by Nemetona who was with Wyldwood from 2011 until 2016

cover art for the album "Cadbodua" by Tibetréa

Cadbodua is the third studio album released in 2012 by the German band Tibetréa and definitely does not disappoint.

I don’t usually regard this part, I usually just review the music, but this needs to be mentioned!

The cover which accompanies the album is wonderful; it really draws attention to the style of the band, and the more interesting, fun images of the band playing in a natural environment adds to the joy you find when listening. The album cover and even the CD design is a work of art, and it’s beautiful; something people often forget when buying digital copies!

Starting out with the song Assanta Machijuká, the music and rhythms draw the listener in straight away. The band then begins an epic journey across the world using languages and poetry from all different cultures.

From the Latin lyrics in Assanta Machijuká, the band moves into the Aztecan War Song including an old Gypsy Curse between the atmospheric use of the Hurdy Gurdy and the tenor recorder.

We then visit Scotland through the traditional song Twa Corbiez, launch through Germany with Todtentantz; an excellent ode to the dead, and then onto an instrumental Breton piece.

The language uses don’t stop there however; we are then taken to the Isle of Man for a Pirate song, Piratenlied. The band also touch on Latvian on the song Merseburger Zauberspruch II, Maori in Hinehukatere, Native American in the Song for Beli Mawr and then onto Old English for the poem Deor.

On first glance of the different languages in the book accompanying the album, I was a little confused as to how the different languages would work together on an album. Tibetréa have married the lyrics and traditional music up with their own signature style of Fantasy Folk making this album a fantastic mix of cultures brought together by dance and song.
The use of drums is also very important. There are a lot of songs which are kept to rhythm by other means such as Todtentanz’s intro with the clapping, trumpet and hurdy gurdy, but underneath all the songs there is a definite dancing rhythm which would draw out any faeriefolk to join in the dancing.

I think this is a wonderful album drawing on the Celtic culture with a modern twist. I could imagine this being played at a modern day festival in the same way it would also be performed at a Celtic feast in the old days when the men had returned from battle to a splendid meal.

You would rejoice of the dead, sing of the war against the enemy and above all enjoy the company of fellow folk.

In terms of a stand out track, it was difficult to choose one, but I managed to narrow it down to being a draw between track number one, Assanta Machijuká and track 7, Call of the Sirens.

In track one, I just love the way the song instantly draws you in and makes you like the band from the off. It makes you want to dance, and a lot of the music in the world nowadays is missing the joyous aspect. The thunder and the tribal feel are also especially astounding.

I also chose track 7 because of the entire atmosphere the song sets. The use of the instruments along with the almost hypnotic use of vocals is wonderful; this song certainly gives me goose bumps when I listen to it; even after a few times!

Overall, it is a wonderfully diverse album which is tied together with the band’s genre of Fantasy Folk. On initial listening, I wasn’t sure about the style, I must admit. But once I had looked properly at the album’s book and had a proper listen to the lyrics after understanding the concept, I fell in love with it. It is a wonderfully dark, enchanting yet still merry collection of songs from a very talented bunch.

Track List:

  1. Assanta Machijuká
  2. War Song
  3. Twa Corbiez
  4. Todtentantz
  5. Laridé
  6. Piratenlied
  7. Call of the sirens
  8. Merseburger Zauberspruch II
  9. Hinehukatere
  10. Song for Beli Maur
  11. Deor
  12. The battle of the trees
  13. Zwergentanz

To find out more about Tibetrea, please visit:

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