|
Dennis Ostermann and Co are back with another lavishly-presented opus, drawing on the theme of The Garden Of Eden and producing some typically superb music in the process. There's a strong unifying feel that runs throughout the album which makes each song acts almost as a chapter that contributes an important part towards one story although this doesn't mean there aren't a decent degree of differing musical moods waiting to be savoured. The preceeding single "Promised Land" and the slightly edgier "Fading Light", for example, where Antje Schultz's vocals (which I've not always been a big fan of) really come into their own contrast sharply with the mystical moods that grace "Forbidden Fruit" and, thanks to some superb choir samples, "Der Teufel" while the grittier mood of "Regicide" and the superb guitar work of "Something To Remember" add further elements to the story. Melotron's Andy Kruger contributes his easily recognisable vocals on two tracks as does Sina Hubner of Pzychobitch and although her contribution is less to the fore, being contained within the sonic tapestry that forms the opening and closing pieces you can still tell it's her (and no, the titles are not connected to the Jimmy Cliff soul classic at all!) The 8 minute instrumental "In Favilla" allows the listener to fully savour the music as it builds from its quiet, sepulchral beginnings into a powerfully majestic, seemingly freeform number that then goes full circle, returning to the atmospheric realms from whence it came, proving once again that ISC are indeed a band of many talents.
And just to prove that sometimes, you can never have too much of a good thing, the limited edition double provides a further sonic tonic in the form of the excellent, Indian-flavoured "Samael", the more accessable "A Single Touch" and another excellent instrumental in the form of "Blind Spot". This is how limited edition doubles should be done, no remixes or the usual junk, just excellent additional tracks and if you thought the fact that they're not on the album proper means they're lacking in any way then you can think again; indeed, without them you're not getting the full picture so if you can't get the triple set (which features another lengthy instrumental, I believe) at least make sure you don't miss out on this version.
RATING: 9
Artist Link: http://www.miunusewelt.de
|
Videos
TWEET