The Green Man -
From Irem To Summerisle (2009)
Heard a song by this band on bob's apocalyptic folk compilation and just had to hear the whole album. If I'm not mistaken this is the first album by this Italian dark, gothic folk band and after maybe three listens I have to say it's excellent. What I like especially here is the undeniable influence of middle eastern music and possibly Mediterranean too, the latter is actually expected since this band is from Italy. This is strongly evident on first four songs, but can be felt throughout the album. A couple of other songs are more in the typical neofolk vein with strong Death In June influence. The themes are esoteric with obvious exploration of ancient myths, apocrypha, gnostic gospels and early Christianity. The middle eastern melos fits perfectly and presents a fresh air in neofolk scene.
'Irem' or
City of a Thousand Pillars
'Baptism by Sea' (this is the song that made me check this band out)