When I first read about these guys I couldn't believe what I was reading and afterwards listening. As an Israeli and a Jew, with a European background that has more than enough in common with Yiddish in the Jewish exile period, I was rather puzzled at first to listen to Yiddish under a Folk Metal cloud. Moreover, what in the world was this - Yiddish songs from a Swedish band? Thanks to Ida & Niklas Olniansky and their friend the label manager / musician / producer Magnus Wohlfart, the rising DIBBUKIM (in English meaning infectious or infected) diverted an outstanding idea into a true reality.

The band's official debut album, "Az A Foygl Un A Goylem Tantsn"(As A Bird And A Golem Dances), under their Wohlfart's label, GM Music (Grand Master Music) is compilation of both known Jewish Yiddish / Kleizmer folk songs and original material. Beyond the idea, which served as both as tribute to the older folks of my people and also showing that Metal can go almost with everything attached to it, DIBBUKIM made quite impressive material that followed some well written stories.

Alongside the stories there were some great crushing Metal moments in the light of the newly found sub-genre in Folk Metal. Wohlfart, which was in charge of most of the instruments, took the band into new horizons and gave the small storylines their rightful musical background they needed. With extensive speedy and melodic riffs with Power like energy, explosive lead guitars and diverse rhythms by Wohlfart's band mate of YGGDRASIL, Jacob Blecher, on the drums.

With the combination of great themes and great music, DIBBUKIM emerged with some amazing original Yiddish tunes. "Der Rodmakher", which turned out as one of the most superb tunes in Folk with wonderful chorus. Even though I didn't understand a word, like in any other tune on the album, it felt more than just a regular. Running afterwards were "Hinter Dem Tol"and "Khaloymes"that didn't fail either.

With their newly written material, DIBBUKIM made a fine tribute by reshaping and recording old Yiddish classics. Although my knowledge of what is a true Yiddish classic, or what is not, is rather poor, and I didn't have the time to ask around the older folks, I mostly liked only a few of those. "Csárdás"is a fine instrumental killer that will probably raise the attention to any one that knows its original feel. "Papirosn" was the only track that I knew from childhood and it was quite good. For the rest of the way there were "Oyfn Veg Shteyt A Boym", "Rozhinkes Mit Mandlen"and the opening intro that sounded familiar, "Shpil Di Fidl Shpil".

"Az A Foygl Un A Goylem Tantsn"is the first stepping stone for DIBBUKIM. New and old Yiddish tracks were massed by the hot, or cold, energy that Metal provided them. Even if I couldn't say that I was that connected to all the tunes that were on the release, I have to admit that it was an honor to listen to another addition to the Metal world and special as the Swedish DIBBUKIM.