Title: Nuclear Sun
Artist: Der Blaue Reiter
Genre: Apocalyptic, Ambient, Neoklassik
Release Date: 25th September 2009
Label: Ars Musica Diffundere
Album Review
There are some happenings in the history of mankind that mustn´t be forgotten. They are worth remembering for today´s society as we all can learn from them. Historic events like that are often worked up in the shape of clear analyses or expressed in an artistic manner. And so the Spanish formation DER BLAUE REITER did when it released its third full-length recording `Nuclear Sun´ that issues the Chernobyl-tragedy in the year 1986. Firstly, I was sceptical whether it was possible to find an appropriate musical way to turn the concerned persons´ horror and helplessness as well as the incident´s terrible consequences into songs. After listening to this stunning masterpiece, I´m sure that the musicians did a great job, as the recording´s dignity is well-suited for an approach to the Chernobyl accident and its victims.
`Main Titles (The Children of Chernobyl)´ is an interesting intro preparing well for what will follow. It features a lot of classic-appeal due to operatic vocals. Besides referring to the Russian folk song `Katjuscha´ - which many of you may know from school days - sung by a male DON KOSAKEN-like choir, the first track contains a heart-wrenching piano melody accompanied with panic child voices. Coming up with sampled walkie-talkie sounds, the threatening instrumental track `Fourth Reactor´ may imply the accident´s discovery of the destroyed reactor. `Radioactive´ begins with spare and fragile piano lines that are joined by synth effects and deeply sad speech singing. A bitter farewell song to the contaminated town of Pripiath is the symphonic and moving `The Last Days of Pripiath´. `1st of May´ features the national anthem of the former USSR at first, but then march-like sounds proclaim dark ages and could be interpreted as the follow-up military operations. Death knells now ring and open up `The Fall of Light´ which scores with monotonous speech singing and a lugubrious piano.
The sad violins radiate hopelessness and black despair on `Walking to the Abyss´ followed up by the funeral procession-like title track `Nuclear Sun´. Afterwards, speechlessness and shock are the remaining emotions which are expressed with the subtle piano piece `The Liquidators´. `End Credits (In Memoriam)´ calls for reflection and remembrance of the tragic incident and the countless civilian losses - an oppressive end of a violent piece of work shouting at the listener despite its quiet tones.
Naturally, this album isn´t intended for listeners who prefer easy listening songs. If you aren´t afraid of hard-to-bear issues and interested in classic sounds, you will have good conditions to find approach to that poetic and at the same time cruel stuff.
Tracklist
01. Main Titles (The Children of Chernobyl)
02. Fourth Reactor
03. Radioactive
04. The Last Days of Pripiath
05. 1st of May
06. The Fall of Light
07. Walking to the Abyss
08. Nuclear Sun
09. The Liquidators
10. End Credits (In Memoriam)
Line-up
Sathorys Elenorth: vocals, guitar, synths, piano
Lady Nott: vocals, violin, percussions
Live line-up:
Verónica: percussions, backing vocals
Thomas Bøjden: percussions
Website
http://www.myspace.com/derblauereitermusic
Cover-Picture
Rating
Music: 8
Sound: 8
Extras: -
Total: 8 / 10
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