Title: Extramensch
Artist: Extramensch
Genre: Metalyrik
Release Date: 17th September 2010
Label: Delicious Releases
Album Review
Who is EXTRAMENSCH? Well, the answer to that little question is as philosophical as it can be “EXTRAMENSCH is everyone, is all and nothing, because everything is one.” You may wonder what that’s supposed to mean, so let me tell you that the only certain conclusion you can get out of this is “You are EXTRAMENSCH” The identities of the artists behind the project remain in shadows, but won’t be deliberately disguised. But what do you need identities for, really. The only thing that counts is the music.
The album journey begins right away with the title track, kicking off with an erratic acoustic/rock riff until the full power of metal and a medieval atmosphere gain contours. Then a distinctive voice leads us into the too rarely used poetic depths of the German lyrics, immersed in atmospheres giving off a forlorn feeling. ‘Das Lied des Bettlers’,from a poem by Rainer Maria Wilke, directly in the beginning carves marks into stone with merciless riffs before the track somewhat softens, emphasizing a rather fragile guitar arrangement, subjacent to the lyrical theme that appears like a narrative in this case. ‘Kleine Liebesballade’ is getting it started with a few electronic sequences, meandering around a muffled riff and then a beat kicks in, quite similar to the one on the opening track. Head banging explicitly wanted! The next song’s title is ‘Epistel 21’, referencing the word epistle which is used mainly for a kind of letter in a very formal and elegant manner, like in the bible; also it was common in ancient Egypt and other early civilizations. This particular one is packed in a modern “metallic” and subtly aggressive form.
There’s another one on the album, called ‘Epistel 23’ being of a very upset and furious nature. I’ve been wondering what happened to the other 21 epistles? Maybe just drafts or something! The light, passing through the track ‘Licht’ is a descendant of a dark universe it seems, slipping blackness through microscopic cracks in your skin, cunningly and insidiously wrapped up inside kicking drums and sinister ambience. Is that a vanguard of the apocalypse? If you don’t recognize ‘Gospel’ for what it is, an irony bleeding comment on blind obedience and the Goth scene, I suggest you have your ears checked by a good doctor. The track features a distinguished industrial rock vibe, coming up with a sequence of electronic rhythms before switching to an acoustic base. The album eventually concludes with a collaboration between CARMEN RIZZO and EXTRAMENSCH; featuring a guest vocal performance of Norwegian Kate Havnevik.
It is called ‘This Life’ and is actually a rework from the original of the first mentioned artist. It is an introverted, reflective yet brooding piece, dwelling on the different voices of Kate and the mysterious singer of EXTRAMENSCH whose words originate from the poem ‘Das Mädchen aus der Fremde’ by Friedrich Schiller. Wonderful and epic closing for the album! “Metalyrik” is a phrase used by the band themselves to give a description which hits the nail on the head, actually. Lyrical content in its purest form is cast into a structure of metal and electronics and creates an experience worth making.
Tracklist
01. Extramensch - 4:46
02. Das Lied des Bettlers - 3:35
03. Kleine Liebesballade - 4:38
04. Epistel 21 - 4:06
05. Leidenschaft - 3:43
06. Epistel 23 - 4:29
07. Licht - 4:05
08. Gospel - 4:55
09. Liebe Mutter - 4:16
10. Das Lied des Idioten - 4:25
11. Bitter / Süß - 4:49
12. Extramensch vs. Carmen Rizzo: This Life (Das Mädchen aus der Fremde) - 4:09
Line-Up
Extramensch
Website
http://www.extramensch.com/ / http://www.myspace.com/extramensch
Cover Picture
Rating
Music: 8
Sound: 9
Extras: -
Total: 8.5 / 10
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