Das Präparat - Unschuldsblicke

Artist: Das Präparat
Title: Unschuldsblicke
Genre: Electro / Gothic / Classical music
Release Date: 2nd July 2010
Label: Scanner / Dark Dimensions



Album Review

DAS PRÄPARAT was formed in 2001 as a side-project of WELLE:ERDBALL. But with the release of the debut album ‘THX LD 50’ in 2007, the band proved to develop their own distinct style: a venomous mixture of aggressive danceable electro and obscure solemn darkwave. On the new album DAS PRÄPARAT tend to polish their sound diversifying it and moreover, enlightening some provocative themes and extremely unattractive problems of our society in their pungent lyrics.

A short intro ‘Komm und Spiel mit uns’ with samples of the children voices prepares the listeners for the sinister and somewhat morbid atmosphere of the album. Talking about paedophilia, child abuse and neglect demands a certain degree of courage since these topics are being concealed and suppressed in the society as ones of the most disagreeable. DAS PRÄPARAT surely possesses this courage dedicating their album to these problems. Straight beat and pulsating sequences coupled with recognizable exasperated vocal delivery of Dr. Hyde give the following track ‘Fetus in Fetu’ all the chances to become a club hit. High-pitched angelic female vocals join Dr. Hyde in the end of the song adding to it dramatic character and tension. The title of the track refers to a phenomenon of the same name. Fetus in fetu is an extremely rare condition wherein a malformed fetus is found in the abdomen of its twin. It has no prospect of any life outside of the host twin due to critical defects, such as no functional brain, heart, lungs, gastrointestinal tract, or urinary tract.

‘Mondscheinkind’ deals with child’s fears while ‘Emily’ with child abuse. The both songs display a high dance floor capability being filled with the pumping beats and driving sequences. A mournful piano ballad ‘Emily’ drops the pace and narrates a story of a girl seduced by her uncle. The paedophilia topic is also concerned in the songs ‘Unschuldsblicke’ and ‘Lilith’, which is represented as a dialog between the seducer and his victim. ‘Du störst’ is a fresh stream in the band’s soundscape. A sad story about unwanted children with a rather tragic denouement told by emotional voice of Nachtschwester K. to the accompaniment of cabaret piano conjures up a black-and-white picture from the thirties. ‘Schließ die Augen’ commencing as a beautiful soothing lullaby sung in a gentle voice is unexpectedly pierced by marching rhythms and then is veiled by synth layering.

Such a sudden ending imparts a particular charm to the song. For dessert the album offers two ingenious remixes: ‘Mondscheinkind’ with hard and juicy guitar riffs seems to be more edgy than the original version while ‘Folge mir’ with nervous strings motif provides deep ominous atmosphere. Despite the band’s attempt to diversify their sound similar rhythms and arrangements bear a resemblance between some songs. Nevertheless, ‘Unschuldsblicke’ proves to be interesting and qualitative release, not only acceptable for dance floors but also highly thought-provoking.


Tracklist