Artist: Mundtot
Title: Schatten
Genre: Alternative Rock / Industrial / Indie
Release Date: 18th April 2014
Label: Echozone
Album Review
German rock formation MUNDTOT was founded in 2009 and by now its discography consists of two full-length albums including the latest release entitled ‘Schatten’. This work seems to be quite mature and at the same time experimental. At first it pleases with high quality tracks which sound diverse enough. According to the musicians they were influenced by PLACEBO for instance and “the whole alternative rock music of the late 70s and early 80s. Well, not bad yet the music goes even beyond and elements of totally different genres can be noticed. On the album one can find powerful songs like ‘Einsamkeit und Zweifel’ and ‘Schönster Traum’, made not only to reveal the sad truth of real life but also to awake listeners, ballads and instrumental pieces namely ‘Schwarz / Weiß’ and ‘Abendlicht’ and of course melodic and measuredly heavy compositions in the best traditions of NDH.
The melodies are accompanied with very pleasant vocals yet it’s not like a mere singing but mostly a recitative reminding of American industrial or nu metal alternative like LIMP BIZKIT. This is not a comparison so far, just an assimilation of the single element in order for you to get the idea. However in ‘Regen’ and ‘Nicht so einfach’, the singing appears and sounds magnetic, almost bewitching along with the guitar fingering. In the title track it’s possible to discern some doom intonations in the manner of HEAVENWOOD and that is rather unexpected but harmonious. Actually the band’s style with all those influences and fusions doesn’t leave any opportunity for a tag: the music may be industrial enough and it’s still vivid, not too overloaded with synthetic; modern pro-American tendencies peacefully coexist with good old gothic rock and doom metal flavour. Despite this variety of sounds and effects the album itself looks complete and it’s definitely made in one style. But which one?
Certainly it’s a rhetorical question. As one can guess from everything written above the audience for this record may be completely versatile and all lovers of good music will find something interesting for themselves. The overall impression is more likely melancholy, even gloomy because of the lyrics and their compatibility with the music. But one need time to feel it and at first many tracks sounds more cheerful somehow. Yet after the 4th listening the atmosphere of the sadness and despondency begins to embrace. ‘Schönster Traum’ absolutely became my favourite song and maybe it’s the strongest and the catchiest thing on the record. Or it’s just a matter of taste. Instrumental ‘Abendlicht’ made me remember about the old Russian metal band CHERNYI KOFE (Black Coffee) or a piece of one of their songs to be exact:
You can’t get a life back,
We all lose someone through the time
The only memory of you is evening light
Sorry for the lyrical digression and to sum it all up ‘Schatten’ is just great and worth listening to.
Tracklist
01. Einsamkeit und Zweifel – 3:48
02. Schönster Traum – 3:16
03. Schwarz / Weiß – 3:32
04. Xenophobie – 4:14
05. Wir laufen – 3:33
06. Abendlicht – 2:24
07. Nacht – 3:41
08. Schatten – 3:29
09. Regen – 4:19
10. Nicht so einfach – 3:33
11. Haltet die Welt an – 2:48
12. Wintersturm – 3:30
Line-up
Tino - Vocals, Bass
Andi - Guitar, Backing Vocals
Cesco - Synths
Flo - Drums
Website
http://www.mundtot.net / https://www.facebook.com/Mundtot
Cover Picture
Rating
Music: 10
Sound: 10
Total: 10 / 10
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