PlanetMosh Keeping it Metal
If you like your music to come at you from the darker end of the spectrum then this is well worth checking out, although a mere fifteen minutes in duration it packs a mighty punch, very much in the Gothic vein.
As a German language band Schwarzer Engel are bound to draw comparisons with another band who’s name escapes me at the minute, which may be a little unfair in some cases, however, in this instance the comparisons are merited. Not so much in the musical sense but without doubt in the vocal delivery, that menacing tone that we all know and love is more than prevalent here.
The E.P. consists of four tracks, however three are of the same song but reworked and delivered in wonderfully different ways. So, lets deal with the main track first, ’Schwarze Sonne’ (1st version) is a classic Gothic Metal interpretation featuring the haunting female vocals of Johanna Von Orleans, which balances perfectly against the severe male vocal, all set against a full blown orchestral background a la Within Temptation, which makes for a real get up and dance vibe. Version 2 could not be a more different take if it tried, stripped down as it is to piano, male and female vocal and nothing else. In many respects the emotional impact of the track is enhanced considerably due to it being stripped bare, there is, in effect, no place to hide, the music becomes paramount and all consuming and sounds all the better for it. Version 3 carries on from 2 but strips things back even further by focusing solely on the piano and what a stunning and compelling performance it is to, not Metal but who cares, that has always been one of the strongest strings in our genres bow, the fact that we can diversify and incorporate different styles and moods into a track or album, something that perhaps other kinds of music can not or will not attempt. This is pure feeling coming out of your speakers, lost love, warmth, heartache, despair, it’s all here in three and a bit glorious minutes of music.
There is, as I mentioned a fourth track, ’Der Fährmann’, which is a much more uptempo affair and harks back to the Gothic influence but with a dark tinge that adds a nice element of menace.
As an E.P., this is well worth checking out, if only to get you to check out the bands previous albums, for me it was worth it just to hear some excellent musicianship.
Track Listing;
1. Schwarze Sonne featuring Johanna Von Orleans
2. Der Fährmann
3. Schwarze Sonne piano version featuring El Friede
4. Schwarze Sonne instrumental version featuring El Friede
Line up;
Dave Jason – Vocals, Guitars, Drums, Composition and Orchestral Arrangements.
Out now via Massacre Records.
