Published in 2002 and accompanied by a beautifully illustrated booklet, Abenteuerliches Herz (translated: adventurous heart) is the latest and by far best-selling album of the popular Austrian one-man-project Allerseelen. On Abenteuerliches Herz, Gerhard, the artist formerly known as Kadmon, presents fourteen tracks that lyrically refer to the writing of German poet and author Ernst Jünger whom he already paid hommage to on the Käferlied on his former album Stirb und Werde. Jünger, born in 1895, became famous for his style of "heroic nihilism" and was for a long time associated with political right tendencies.
As I have never read Jünger's novel of the same title, and must admit, that I have no greater knowledge considering his works, I can't judge whether Gerhard / Kadmon succeeded in transforming the book's topics and settings into music as it was his goal, obviously. Being in the vein of the earlier albums, the music on Abenteuerliches Herz is for slow-moving, partly acustic, partly electronic, but less dark and martial than previous efforts. Always unmistakeable are Kadmon / Gerhards spoken lyrics. Also noticable is a strong Spanish influence that pervades the record, beginning with the translation of Rainer Maria Rilke's Spanische Tänzerin into the album's second track and even culminating into a flamenco version of the song Sturmlied. Integrated into the album's flow are two live versions of the featured songs Feuersalamander and Nest which had been recorded in the Teatro Romano in Spain. Additional entertainment is provided by a couple of interesting samples, including Iggy Pop and an opera by Hans Pfitzner.
I found the music on Abenteuerliches Herz on one hand, to be rather relaxing and on the other, providing the listener with a whole lot of interesting references. Although I would personally prefer some of the older records (especially Stirb und Werde) over this one, I recommend it to anybody who is willing to raise enough time to dwell upon the album's content.