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Artist: Umbra et Imago
Title: Opus Magnus
Genre: Gothic / Industrial / Alternative
Release Date: 2nd July 2010
Label: Planet Vampire / Indigo



Album Review

It’s been six long and hard years of waiting for fans of UMBRA ET IMAGO, but now there’s time for salvation… Pretty strange then, that Mozart and his crew proclaimed ‘Opus Magnus’ to be their last studio album. Is an era of Gothic music going to be ended? Just in the light of their 20th anniversary? Fans and press were both shocked and surprised, UMBRA ET IMAGO still considered as one of the most impressive band in Gothic genre and as really funny guys and gals with a good portion of self-mockery. Unfortunately they’re in good company, e.g. GOETHES ERBEN or CHAMBER also made their decision some time ago.

Nevertheless, with this release, UMBRA ET IMAGO splash out a huge package: the limited edition (limited to 2,000 pieces) contains a booklet with 60 pages, a tie, a mouse pad and a fridge magnet. Of course these are only nice accessory parts, but UMBRA ET IMAGO have always been and wanted to be recognized as an artistic act, proofing that with their own artwork and shows on stage every now and then. Therefore it’s even more astonishing that ‘Opus Magnus’ is lacking of “their special topic”: erotic art. The conclusion is as simple as it could be - other aspects came to the fore. Mozart exemplified: “In fact, ‘Opus Magnus’ has a lot of socio-critical aspects, although its predecessors were critical, too. Nowadays a lot of music within the gothic scene and its genre, in my opinion is without any statements. The lacking of propositions can be noticed in all parts of society, therefore we have the self-image of a looking glass…or as a mirror, as you can say so. […] Consumption without consideration is a big problem nowadays. A lot of songs on ‘Opus Magnus’ refer to this point of view, whether it’s ‘Ode an die Musik’, ‘Kokainsong’ or ‘Sonntagsandacht’ (a sermon, I really want to deliver!)… Capitalism seems to be a substitutional god. Decadence like in Rome is not unusual anymore - mankind gets more and more greedy - recently ecological accidents like in Mexico are the best example, that we are losing control.”

That’s the big point on ‘Opus Magnus’. UMBRA ET IMAGO never seemed to be more matured and path breaking. It’s an album that had to take six years of development and maturation. It’s powerful, it’s musing and reflective - and it’s fucking UMBRA ET IMAGO! The master always knows what his servants want to receive. Unbelievable, how straight and confident UMBRA ET IMAGO celebrates itself without bending and is capable to evolve their qualities to perfection. It’s the consequent sequel of ‘Memento Mori’ and in my opinion the best release of UMBRA ET IMAGO by then. For god’s sake, all the rumours of a breakup are quite nonsense as you can refer to Mozart: “We’re not going to split up! UMBRA ET IMAGO will continue for a lot of years, I hope. There will be a lot of concerts to come and a lot of songs to be written…”


Tracklist

01. Ohne dich
02. Perfect Baby
03. Depressionen
04. Gebet Nr. 1
05. Liebeslied
06. Kokainsong
07. Is This Love
08. Hexxenhammer
09. Ignoranz
10. Ode an die Musik
11. Sonntagsandacht
12. Wanderers Nachtlied


Line-up

Mozart - Vocals, Lyrics
Lutz Demmler - Bass, Vocals, Sound Engineering
Migge Schwarz - Drums
Sascha Danneberg - Guitars
Acimo - Keys
Madeleine Le Roy - Vocals, Show


Website

http://www.umbraetimago.de/ / http://www.myspace.com/machinamundi


Cover Picture




Rating

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


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