'Clouds Of War' is a collaboration between Yishai Sweartz (metal bands Nail Within and Tomorrow's Rain) from Tel Aviv, and goth-industrial veteran Mona Mur from Berlin. Inspired by the life and diary of Yishai Sweartz's grandfather, World War II Partisan Moshe Szniecki, this project intertwines evocative spoken word and captivating experimental arrangements.

This is more of a documentary "story album" rather than a musical one, but there is plenty of music on it, although the music serves the story rather than the other way around. Obviously the story of a Jewish person fighting in WW2 Europe is going to be a dark one, but the music is not nearly as dark as you might think it would be. 17-year old Moshe's story begins when he leaves his hometown when all other members of his family were murdered by Nazi hordes. In the depths of the Belarusian forests, he joins a Partisan group fighting boldly. Guided by what he called "The Code of the Woods" Moshe somehow survives. The story is told by various voices - Yishai Sweartz, Mona Mur, En Esch, and Anja Huwe with Mona doing most of the instrumental work, also with guests Yossi Sassi (oud), Takeyama Ritsuko (koto), and En Esch (additional drum programming on "Meet Again").

Although there is much spoken word on the album, several songs are sung. One of them is "Komm in mein Boot - You'll die at sea" which a very un-Rammstein like cover of Rammstein's "Seemann". This album does not lead you by the hand telling the story but is more impressionistic. I think the musicality and flow on 'Clouds Of War' is more evocative than strictly narrative. I know at this time the album may be considered controversial, but I think you have to look past the politics and evaluate it for its historical importance. There are things on the album that might have been done differently (or eliminated entirely) but for the most part, it does a good job in telling the story. And so, what happened to Moshe? He made it to Israel, married, had two daughters and lived to the ripe old age of 94. Happy endings are always appreciated. Release date 6/20/24.