Schwarzer Engel - Apokalypse

Artist: Schwarzer Engel
Title: Apokalypse
Genre: Dark Metal / Symphonic Gothic Metal
Release Date: 30th April 2010
Label: Trisol



Album Review

This year, young, promising German dark metal outfit SCHWARZER ENGEL finally produced the debut work entitled ‘Apokalypse’ and I must say it’s a great music piece indeed. First of all, the quality of the record is very good yet at present many bands deal with it quite well starting with the first album. On the other hand the material itself seems to be rather fresh and original despite the fact that there are a lot of formations of the kind. Actually, SCHWARZER ENGEL skilfully works on the crossing of the styles that can be a guarantee of success, especially now when music is constantly getting more manifold and intricate: every single genre has already got a whole rank of followers and imitators.

On ‘Apokalypse’ you may hear complicated melodies full of symphonic elements typical for gothic, solid blast bits that is a distinctive feature of black metal, heavy metal drive, clear-cut and rich rhythm section and delicate, almost art rock texture of the compositions. The vocals also please with the diversity: the expressive and clean voice combines with some growling parts, recitative and choruses. The variety of the vocals perfectly supplements the alternation of melodic lines and adds particular subtlety and beauty to the songs. Most tracks on the CD are notable for their energy and power so such music simply can’t be called boring but here everything mainly relies on the vocals and keyboards because the guitars are not put in the foreground and they serve mostly to make the sound more colourful.

Fans of profound guitar solos will have to accept the lack of those things on the album however they can count on interesting rhythm which isn’t a bad substitute. Besides the lyrics in German also produce a strong impression and some verses can even be easily engraved in a listener’s memory. The album features 14 compositions which are rather short, especially the instrumental ones that dilute the vigorous sound in the middle of the CD. I’m sure some music lovers may decide to listen to it even more than once as the material is worth it. It’s hard to say what kind of audience will appreciate the release but it will include fans of different styles, those who like black metal for example and those who prefer melancholic symphonic gothic. 


Tracklist
06. Anbruch der Dämmerung – 2:40
07. Goldgräber – 4:56
08. Der Sturm – 3:42
09. Der Zorn Gottes – 7:21
10. Der Söldner – 4:28
11. Interlude – 0:42
12. Sieh die loderneden Heere – 4:46
13. Die Kraft der Worte – 5:05
14. Niemals Entzweit – 4:35


Line-up

Dave Jason - Vocals, Guitar, Drums, Programming
Jens Lindmaier - Guitar
Bert Oeler - Bass


Website

http://www.myspace.com/schwarzerengelband


Cover Picture




Rating

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


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