My Insanity - Scattered Soul Puzzle

In 1996 My Insanity recorded their second demo tape in Germany and were discovered by Xytras from Samael who started an independent label. After that they had the change to record their debut ‘Still Dreams in Violent Areas’ (1999) and after that the second ep ‘Solar Child’ (2000) came out and the band had the change to tour with Therion. Now their newest record is out and they also played some new songs on the Summer Darkness festival in the Netherlands.


Line –up

C. Faust - Vocals, synthetic programming phantasm
M. Ermisch - Rhytm and blues guitars
T. Below - Bass and space guitars
S. Schettler - Drums and screaming


Website

Song Review

1. My world – 5:03
A catchy beat, dark doomy vocals of C.Faust which is not a typical gothic sound. The electronic elements are really straight and the song explode in the end which makes you curious about the rest of the songs. There are so many arrangements, tempo changes; it is all very dynamic.

2. Cocaine – 4:33
A more metal oriented song with some dark guitar riffs and the voice of C.Faust is suprisingly raw this time, melodic and in good contrast with the electronic beats. The synths give a lighter accent to the song. There are even backing vocals in the end, which keeps it interesting.

3. Call My Name – 4:49
A catchy piano mixed with heavy guitars. Non-melodic, but the contrast is the keyword. A present day version of the old folk songs: uptempo and with a clear theme.

4. Extinet – 1:26
Like a poem Faust translated the lyrics, very dreamy and melodic. Again there is the contrast with the electronic arrangements. It is a bit confusing, but also very catchy. He has a strange sense of humor in his music it seems.

5. Champagne For Me – 4:18
Raw, full force and straight forward. That is the message of this song. Heavy guitars and uptempo riffs. Also Faust sings a bit faster and lower. Every detail is there with a purpose and it doesn’t make the song too full. Very dancable and the rhythm stays in your head.

6. Wake Up … Prisoners! – 4:08
A melancholic guitar, a spookey sound that grows to an acoustic part. There is no song which has the same sound. Faust doesn’t sing very clear and it can be irritating after a while, also because of the beat. Those songs are not ‘beautiful’ and you have to listen it without analyzing it. The mix of all those elements are the amazing thing you have to keep in mind.

7. Monkeys – 4:39
A heavy rock beat this time and again mixed with the electronic elements and Faust managed to make a stange combination with the vocals. Altough some elements are different the same recepy returns. Maybe it is funny and it is a typical sound of this band, but for me it is understandable.

8. Giants Little Ghost -  1:23
This song is more melancholic in comparison with the others. The electronic beat is still there and gets irritating now. Faust has a more doomy voice here, but the same theme is repeated over and over again. Still the band manages to be unique in their own way. With every new song they show a different side of themselve. Maybe the voice of Faust is not interesting enough or there is not enough emotion in it.

9. Anything To Anyone -  4:48
Slowly the different instrument lines of the guitar and synths come together. A more aggressive tone in the drums and the voice of Faust is almost unlogical. Again My Insanity suprises the listener. They do the oposit of what you expect. A very powerfull and catchy song. This song is one of the strongest songs on the record. It shows more diversity and emotion.

10. Tiefenrausch – 4:58
A German song with a dry drum sound and exotic guitarriffs which are soon overwelmed by the heavy basslines and Faust is more aggressive. In high contrast with the almost reggae theme. All together mixed into a dynamic song, flowing from theme to theme. Instrumentally very interesting, but the voice of Faust is too much monotonous.

11. Some Days -  4:28
Again there is the beat with the electronic elements, but now a bit more heavy and faster. Switched to a neurotic electronic sound and the screams of the drummer or more the base of the melody lines. There is more depth in the vocal lines. There are themes from the other songs returning, which creates a dynamic atmosphere with many tempo changements.

12. Good Bye In The Bloodred Sky – 5:00
Spooky, an acoustic guitar and it reminds me of the blues: a cowboy alone in the desert. A melancholic singer full of pain, but his lyrics are very down to earth. Faust and the drummer are singing together and it is almost out of tune, but it is something that fits My Insanity very well. It is a beautiful contrast and it makes the record a bit more exiting. A very strong end, because it leaves you puzzled  about what this band wants to say.


Extra's

Non, promo version


Cover picture




Technical Summary
 
Total playing time: 49:39
Total songs: 12


Conclusion
 
It is not an easy record. Especially when you are a real metal or gothic fan. Only in the arrangements you will find back some gothic elements. The bombastic sound is there, but also there is the irritating dance beat. Sometimes there are some real good guitar parts or melodic themes which makes this record really diverse. Whether you like it or not My Insanity has such an personal sound and that makes it interesting to listen to this record. On the other hand the voice of Faust is not that good to listen to for more than half an hour. This band still needs to grow. There is respect for their experimental ways, but they also have to deliver something more grown up. Suitable for those people who like the underground sound and are looking for something fresh.


Rating

Music 7
Sound  6
Extra’s -
Total   7 (6,5)