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alifedivided thegreatescape
Artist: A Life Divided
Title: The Great Escape
Genre: Electro Rock
Release Date: 18th January 2013
Label: AFM Records


Album Review

A LIFE DIVIDED from Germany were founded in 2003 and released two records, ‘Virtualized’ in 2003 and ‘Far‘ in 2006, not bringing the big break-through for the band. A LIFE DIVIDED has actually closer relationships with EISBRECHER since singer Jürgen Plangger is also live guitarist of the latter for several years, and Noel Pix, producer and guitarist of EISBRECHER, was involved into the production process of last album ‘Passenger’, out in January 2011, finally leading the band to success. About two year later, the second album on AFM Records label is out with ‘The Great Escape’. The new album was recorded and produced by Erik Damköhler and Jürgen Plangger, mixed by Tue Madsen (Antfarm Studios), mastered by Mikka Jussila (Finnvox). Say Plangger about the album: “An escape can be motivated by emotions, by anger, by liberation, by resignation or by hope – and usually it is somewhere in between”, what directly takes us into the new album.

With ‘The Great Escape’, A LIFE DIVIDED not only presents a fantastic music records, the band also shares topics with its fans being very personal and honest. Literally, the quintet started a journey into the depths of our existence. “Everyone has multiple personalities. In different situations we act different, depending on the situation”, explains singer Jürgen Plangger the bottom line of his journey. By self-reflection, the band created a deep, dramatic, dark and aesthetic album. It is authentic and hits you where you hide your deepest emotions. And besides all this, it is really rocking in its mixture of Rock’n’Roll songs and EBM influences somewhere between DEPECHE MODE, DEVIN TOWNSEND, VAST and NINE INCH NAILS. Compared with the last album, not so much has changed regarding the music - just that the new record maybe offers less hits and variations. On the other hand it sounds more organic and groovy with more dance appeal, being more mainstream oriented than the previous album.

To pick out a few songs, first one, ‘Lost’, offers tight and energetic sounds, hard guitar lines and a catchy chorus. Especially Jürgen’s voice is perfect, not only in this song but throughout the whole album – sometimes little distorted, aggressive and straight forward, sometimes calmer with lots of emotions. ‘Clouds of Glass’ is a more balladry song with little breaks and the right pinch of electronic sounds. The album offers also danceable songs like ‘The Last Dance’ (title is the motto). Besides the voice of Jürgen Plangger, there are also some other vocals audible. So, ‘Feel’ offers a female voice and for ‘Perfect Day’, Plangger receives vocal support from Chris Harms, singer in LORD OF THE LOST, offering e great contrast to Jürgen’s clear voice with all its darkness. As last little addition, the limited Digipack version offers a bonus track: ‘The Last Dance’ as Eisbrecher Remix. With this new album, A LIFE DIVIDED developed further and proved their sense for great song structures and arrangements, not to forget the strong lyrics. If you liked the last album, you won’t be disappointed with this one. And if the band is new to you, go and check them out!


Tracklist

01. Lost
02. It Ain’t Good
03. Clouds Of Glass
04. The Last Dance
05. Game Over
06. Feel
07. Perfect Day
08. Foreign Rain
09. Wait For Me
10. Goodbye
11. On The Edge
12. Space
13. If You Want To
14. Digipack Bonus: The Last Dance (Eisbrecher Mix)


Line-up

JP – Vocals
Korl – Drums
Toby – Bass
Mike – Guitar
Tony – Guitar
Erik – Programming


Website

http://www.a-life-divided.de/ / www.myspace.com/alifedivided / https://www.facebook.com/alifedivided


Cover Picture

alifedivided thegreatescape


Rating

Music: 8
Sound: 9
Extras: -
Total: 8.5 / 10





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