asauldm | Music

“Helden X Hymnen” is the seventh studio album by German folk rock band dArtagnan, released on July 24, 2026, via Hansa / Sony Music Entertainment. The album commemorates the band’s 10th anniversary.

dArtagnan describe their own musical style as Musketeer Rock, inspired by the novels of Alexandre Dumas and the ideals of brotherhood, honor, and freedom.

Unlike the band’s standard studio releases, “Helden X Hymnen” is a special anniversary project consisting primarily of folk rock covers of legendary rock, pop, and metal classics, a brand-new title track, and acoustic (Unplugged) versions of the band’s own songs.

The central concept of the release is to reinterpret iconic international hits through dArtagnan’s signature folk rock style. Rather than simply covering the originals, the band enriches each track with medieval flair, traditional folk instruments, and powerful guitar riffs.

Key tracks and cover songs:

– “Wake Me Up” (feat. Ally the Piper) — Avicii’s iconic hit, featuring a standout bagpipe performance by the renowned multi-instrumentalist.

– “Holding Out for a Hero” — an epic reinterpretation of Bonnie Tyler’s classic pop rock anthem.

– “Crazy Train” — a folk metal rendition of Ozzy Osbourne’s legendary guitar-driven classic.

– “Basket Case” — an energetic folk-inspired cover of the Green Day hit.

– “In the Air Tonight” (Phil Collins) and “My Heart Will Go On” (Celine Dion).

– “Believer” (Imagine Dragons) and “Moonlight Shadow” (Mike Oldfield).

The selection of rock and pop anthems featured on the album was determined not only by the “Musketeers” themselves but also through a vote conducted among members of the band’s official fan club. It was the fans who strongly advocated for folk reinterpretations of Celine Dion’s “My Heart Will Go On” and Phil Collins’ “In the Air Tonight.”

For the recording of the album, the band collaborated with artists who have become well known for popularizing traditional folk instruments both on social media and within the modern rock scene, including Ally the Piper (bagpipes) and Patty Gurdy (nyckelharpa and hurdy-gurdy).

The track “Wake Me Up” (a cover of Avicii’s hit) was recorded together with popular American content creator and bagpiper Ally the Piper. It also marks the first time in dArtagnan’s history that the band has collaborated with an instrumentalist from the United States on a studio recording.

In addition to German-language covers—such as “Alles aus Liebe” by Die Toten Hosen and “Ein Kompliment”—most of the album’s songs retain their original English lyrics while being reimagined with distinctly German folk-inspired arrangements.

The bonus portion of the album features intimate acoustic performances of songs such as “Für immer Dein” and “Farewell,” showcasing the rich and expressive vocals of Ben Metzner.

The title track, “Helden X Hymnen,” is the only completely new original composition on the album and was released as its lead single. The song celebrates the enduring power of timeless anthems, unity, and hope in difficult times.

A portion of the proceeds from sales of the album’s special limited-edition vinyl box set will be donated to a foundation supporting young street musicians in Germany.