Blutengel – Damokles (Out of Line Music)

English:CD-review
  Van Muylem    31 oktober 2019

Not so long ago Koen Asaert and I had an interview with Blutengel and we where told they work every day in their homestudio when not on tour. Today we already get the result! This time Chris Pohl shows his vulnerable side and sings disarmingly honest about his fears.


After the success of Un:Gott (#2 in the German album charts) Chris‘ view turned to the next step – inspired by the shadows of his soul, he formed new and more personal songs from his fears and his grief. „They are about my very own demons. Especially the title track describes my anguish of what may or will come. At the moment, everything is absolutely fine, but I totally fear that this changes. Fear of the dead of my parents, that will come, fear, that something happens to my beloved...also fear of what will happen with me later.“ Damokles does not only grant a deep and intime view into the soul of this unique artist. Damokles is also the honest dealing of a human being with the fears that we all fear – and that we often don‘t dare to express.

Damokles will be released as simple mini album, as limitierte clear vinyl edition with different tracklist and as limited 2-Digi-CD including the CD Un:GOTT - The Lost Chapters with songs from the Un:Gott session. Chris about those songs: „They didn‘t fit the concept lyrically. But I knew that I will release them, and they are NOT bonus tracks but would have worked on a „normal“ album as well.“ The 2-CD Digi is the version for the Die Hard fans and as a collectors edition it will be strictly limited.

The Haunting (Prelude) is a short and scary warming up that announces the coming of big and scary things. It almost sounds like Marvell announcing the end of their era! First real track is Damokles and tells us about his fear and darkness that haunts him: just like the story of the sword of Damocles that haunts you and will strike one day and kill you. You know the sword will strike one day and you know it will be your end. One might think this is about the end of Blutengel. It's a slow song, with an angelic voice singing (Ulrike) in the back whilst Chris unveils his dark demons inside his head. Disobedience goes faster and might be something for the dancefloors. I'm just not 100% happy with Chris' voice on it (it sounds a bit too low and not sharp enough: i miss anger and agressivity in it). Ulrike steals the show on this one and lifts the song to a higher level. The Search sounds a bit like a typical Blutengel song, but turning EBM into dreamy pop. It's not my cup of tea. Strong is gothic track with a symphonic feel. Briefe an Dich (feat. Kira) has some techno influences in it and I must admit you have to get used to Kira's voice (don't worry: she has a great voice). It feels a bit like as if Chris check's if he can replace Ulrike. After that we suddenly get a new version of Strong (Remixed by Caisaron). It's a bit weird to get so fast a remix version. Well: they added an extra female voice and made it a bit more angelic and club minded. Well this is apparently already the end of the first CD (sorry folks: I follow the digital stream).

I don't know why but I really love the next one and it feels like an improuvement if you put it next to the previous songs (and that is unlogical). Another Dream is a symphonical hit and is filled with emotions. Another great one and very emotional track is Hourglass of Life (I adore the synths). Another great one is the pumped up track called Fire and Ice. This one might also make it into clubland (I adore Ulrike's vocals). A romantic and very catchy track is Stardust. Running Away is a dark and yet poppy track with a catchy chorus. I also like the beats in this one! Once again we end with a remix and this time it's Hourglass of Life (Massive Ego Remix) where we get more beats and a more techno minded feel. They aim at clubland with it and I lke it!

I must say that the first part dissappointed me a bit, but the second part is an absolute must have! To put things in the right corner: it's cool to try out new things and focus a bit more on dark feelings. Sadly it didn't reach my heart. The second part showed me again why I love their previous album so much! Even the outtakes are worth getting published and are better then the newer tracks! Still: I keep on believing that Blutengel is a great duo and they stay in my heart!