Powerful metal, rousing folk, renowned guest musicians and an epic film music orchestra – that’s Mystopera – A folk metal opera that begins on 1st August via Metalville Records.
Composer/violinist Meike Katrin Stein and singer/songwriter Markus Engelfried have brought this folk-metal opera to life with a great deal of passion and creativity and have brought a host of talented guest musicians on board for their first album, including Schandmaul, Primal Fear, Corvus Corax, Harpyie, and Crematory, plus they were able to win Chris Harms (Lord Of The Lost) as music producer.
Das Lied Der Steinernen Engel is the title of the first Mystopera album and tells a gripping Viking story full of mysticism, suspense and devotion.
What began as an idea in Stein and Engelfried’s joint band past with Krayenzeit soon became a project close to their hearts.
“Meike and I first came up with the idea of combining film-musical orchestral epics and folk metal almost eight years ago,” said Engelfried. “Then three years ago we said ‘Come on, let’s do it now, let’s write a folk metal opera.’”
“Once the ball had been set rolling and the first guest musicians had been recruited, the project almost took on a life of its own. Successful musicians and singers asked us if they could still take part in the project.” Stein recalled.
In fact, in addition to Meike and Markus, an ensemble of 16 other high-calibre musicians from a wide variety of genres has come together: Saskia Maria – Schandmaul, Ralf Scheepers – Primal Fear, Mr. Hurley – Mr. Hurley Und Die Pulveraffen, Norbert ‘Norri’ Drescher – Corvus Corax, Katja Moslehner – (ex) Faun, Aello – Harpyie, Alina Lesnik – ROBSE & Erfolgreiche Youtuberin, Pínto von Frohsinn – Ganaim, (ex) Versengold, Rolf Munkes – Crematory, Stefanus Rex – The Kings Pipers, Bernd Heining – Skull And Crossbones, Frank Herold – (ex)Saidian, Krayenzeit and the four-piece medieval band Die Irrlichter have brought Mystopera to life.
The Budapest Scoring Orchestra, who work with Netflix and Hollywood productions, has also been recruited for Mystopera, so you can enjoy a truly bombastic, world-class orchestra.
The confirmation for the album release concert at Wacken Open Air 2025 is another major milestone on Mystopera‘s journey.
Das Lied Der Steinernen Engel follows the concept of classical operas and tells a gripping fantasy story about Vikings, dragons and mystical beings in epic and energetic music. But to experience the story even more intensely, the album is accompanied by a book that tells the story of the Stone Angels in detail and allows fans to immerse themselves even deeper in the world of Mystopera.
On the record, Meike Katrin Stein plays violin, and takes part in choral singing. Stein is a composer and orchestrator of film music as well as a violinist. Her film music can be heard regularly on TV stations like ZDF, SWR and Arte, among others, and she also writes and orchestrates theatre music, including for the Mannheim National Theatre. As a folk violinist, she has performed on stage with bands such as Krayenzeit and Ganaim. Her musical work ranges from classical and folk to rock and metal.
Markus Engelfried takes lead vocals, choral singing, cister, lute and flutes. Engelfried is a music and singing teacher, songwriter and lyricist. After studying music and singing, he was the singer and main songwriter of the folk/medieval rock band Krayenzeit for 10 years and completed several tours and festival shows with the band (including Wacken Open Air, tours with Saltatio Mortis, Schandmaul and many more). As a singer and songwriter, he has released 10 studio albums worldwide in the fields of metal, rock, musical and medieval rock.
Rolf Munkes plays guitar, Frank ‘Mampf’ Herold bass, and Bernd Heining drums.
