Artist: Umbra et Imago
Title: Mea Culpa (Re-Release) + Bonus: Die Welt Brennt
Genre: Neue Deutsche Härte / Gothic Rock / Gothic Metal
Release Date: 31st May 2013
Label: Oblivion / SPV
Album Review
In the heart of (Shadow and image) UMBRA ET IMAGO is Mozart, who formed the band over 20 years ago; deeply inspired by Dr Freud its expression centres on sexuality as a core of one’s being, employing a cynical edge to lyrics to critique human society often using BDSM and vampiric imagery and at times a theatrical approach within the Gothic Metal genre mixed with NDH. Their album of 2000 ‘Mea Culpa’ is now under re-release, of course you’ll find Mozart’s answer to Falco’s most famous songs (which may be lost to the Y generation but not the X) in the short intro ‘1780’ to ‘Rock Me Amadeus’.
You’ll also find other great songs, one maybe because it’s becoming topical in present rise of far right parties in Europe in fascist-critical ‘Teutonenlied’, the song’s cutting lyrics are underlined with bombast as much as a sense of melancholy. As it goes the songs alternate between the more Gothic Metal and Neue Deutsche Härte, enough for the band to be marked out as “Rammstein meets Type O-Negative”. ‘Lieber Gott’ will demonstrate a perfect union of both and also a great feel for memorable hook, melody and pacing, whilst ‘Weinst Du’ shows an inventive use of genre-unexpected instruments such as bagpipe, it could have easily misfired in a lesser skilled hands, but here it really comes off.
As a goal of reissues goes – it’s a certainly great introduction to new listeners and a nice reminder to old fans. As bonus you’ll get the ‘Die Welt Brennt’ DVD.
Tracklist
|
Disk 1 (CD) |
Disk 2 (DVD) |
Line-up
Manuel Munz (a.k.a Mozart) – Vocals
Sascha Dannenberger – Guitar
Freddy Stürze – Guitar
Madeleine Le Roy – Vocals
Erwin Schmidt a.k.a (T)Erwin(ator) – Bass
Lars Lippa – Drums
Websites
http://www.umbraetimago.de/ / www.facebook.com/umbraetimago.official
Cover Picture
Rating
Music: 8
Sound: 9
Extras: DVD
Total: 8.5 / 10
