Schandmaul, leaders of German medieval folk rock, unveil a genius offering of storytelling and medieval instrumentation spliced with modern influences on their uplifting new single, “Das Gerücht” (eng.: the rumor), in which sounds of long forgotten times meet the modern world. Even though technology and many other things have changed over the last few centuries, some things never do - like the spreading of rumors. This topic is illustrated by Schandmaul in the lyrics and the impressive video for their newest single.

The single is the final preview of their upcoming 11th full-length, Knüppel aus dem Sack, out this Friday, June 10, via Napalm Records. This adventurous new offering once again demonstrates the unit's inimitable talent as songwriters and storytellers and invites everyone to enter a thrilling and captivating world of sound. With the album’s predecessors, Schandmaul claimed their position as impressively successful frontrunners and entered the German album charts at #1 with their highly acclaimed full-length Leuchtfeuer, in 2016 and at #2 with rousing Artus in 2019.

Thomas Lindner on “Das Gerücht”: “Rumors, false reports, alternative facts and fake news have existed throughout the times and yet they have rarely been as omnipresent and incendiary as they are these days. The song 'Das Gerücht' denounces this, shouts it out and loudly invites you to join in...”

With six top 10 albums on the German charts, successful tours and numerous festival appearances, as well as millions of streams on digital platforms, Schandmaul have proven that they stand at the top of their genre with good reason. Since their debut, Wahre Helden, released in 1999, Schandmaul 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 the title of their upcoming masterpiece, Knüppel aus dem Sack, the Munich-based outfit 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.

Schandmaul on the album: "With the eleventh album we announce ourselves loud and clear back after the forced silence!" (Thomas Lindner)

"We report back! A rocking album, nevertheless unmistakably Schandmaul. Fresh wind came additionally by producer Simon Michael, who tickled unexpected sides from the band..." (Martin Duckstein)

"The new Schandmaul album is really on fire and with the first single we literally take the "cudgel out of the sack"! Look forward with us to a fantastic video, and that we can finally rock together again at concerts. We have the music for it in our luggage." (Stefan Brunner)

“Out of the cultural lockdown, out of the cold of winter, out of rigidity. Time to go out again, to meet and move. To new music, peacefully united. May the album be a ray of hope, especially now in these sad times. Peace." (Matthias Richter)

Knüppel aus dem Sack will be available in the following formats:

- Deluxe Wooden Box (incl. ltd CD Mediabook, LP recycled color vinyl, 7inch recycled colored vinyl with 2 excl.bonus tracks, Slipmat, Flag) – limited to 500 copies worldwide
- Deluxe Tow Sack (incl. ltd CD Mediabook, field flask) -  limited to 500 copies worldwide
- LP Recycled Black Vinyl
- Ltd Edition CD Mediabook incl. 11 Tracks + 2 exclusive bonus tracks
- CD 6 pages Digisleeve inkl 11 Tracks
- Digital Album

Pre-order here.

Tracklisting:

"Knüppel aus dem Sack"
"Königsgarde" (feat. Saltatio Mortis, Ben Metzner)
"Das Gerücht"
"Der Pfeifer"
"Tatzelwurm"
"Der Flug"
"Der Quacksalber"
"Luft und Liebe"
"Glück auf!" (feat. Fiddler´s Green)
"Irgendwann"
"Niamh"
"Der elfseitige Würfel" (Bonus Track)
"Long John Silver" (Bonus Track)

“Niamh” video:

“Königsgarde” video:

"Knüppel aus dem Sack" video:

Schandmaul are:

Thomas Lindner - vocals, guitar, piano, accordion
Stefan Brunner – drums
Martin Duckstein - acoustic guitar, e-guitar, cister, banjo
Birgit Muggenthalter - bagpipes, (folk) flutes
Matthias Richter - e-Bass, double bass
Saskia Forkert - violin, hurdy-gurdy, background vocals

(Photo - Heilemania)