Search - Umbra et Imago :: Mea Culpa

Chalk another big one up for Umbra!

Robyn Swaim | Amarillo, TX USA | 12/04/2000

(5 out of 5 stars)

"This album is the latest from a band in Germany many in the States have not heard of - let alone - heard! Every time they release a new one, somehow Mozart (lead singer) manages to reinvent them. The basic sound is still familiar, but he takes it, puts it in a blender and what pours out is a mixed culmination of all that has come before and with a new, fresh and often pain-filled twist from their BSDM and vampiric roots. This album was released in two different versions. The general release (US - Halloween, 2000) is reviewed here. The album opens strong with "Intro" in what has become a "signature" of Mozart's - a "speech" (in German) over instrumental music from the band in the background. This always sets the tone. In previous releases, he opened with classical pieces and everything from Nietzsche to historical speeches. Mozart's love of Friedrich Nietzsche appears in many of his lyrics. Used on several previous albums, once again it shows on this one, too. The first musical track - "Lieber Gott" has a strong beat and the special addition of Peter Heppner/Wolfsheim on vocals, it is probably the only "cheery" song on the album. Don't let that "cheeriness" fool you. Umbra is not about being happy or positive. Hard, raw, gloomy, dark, even depressing - it runs the gamut from gothic to S&M to vampires to raw sexual energy and comes from the darkest corners of the human mind. The title track "Mea Culpa" has a harder edge like the band's older material, giving the album a good mix to initiate new listeners to the band's past albums and bringing them up to speed with the present incarnation. Mozart uses his voice to give a harsh edge to the German lyrics and while his voice may sound very hard, he can be incredibly lyrical when required. This switch is evident during "Goth Music" with its lilting sound and, next to Mozart's version of "Rock Me Amadeus", it is my personal favorite on this album. "Teutonenlied" - slow, moody and almost ethereal. A very political song against Fascism with strong verbal chorus lyrics. With the edition of a boy's choir in the background, the song reminds me of Pink Floyd's "Another Brick In Wall". "Weinst du?" was released as a single in Germany with the addition of Tanzwut. Once again Mozart adds a new twist to his music with bagpipes in the background. It joins what others have offered previously from animal and insect sounds, radio-theater drama with footsteps, thunder, the sounds of a woman being whipped, to one with Native American drums and singing. The next two cuts are forever linked together historically and represent Mozart's tribute to the late Austrian rock singer, Falco. "1780" and "Rock Me, Amadeus" might be called Umbra's answer to "pop music", but, of course, with their own unique flair. The intro "1780" has been updated to include more on the original Mozart's music career, mention of Falco's recording of the original song, a reference to his untimely demise in a car accident in the Dominican Republic and the present day Mozart's re-mix of this 1980's hit. It is definitely a new classic with a good beat, techno sounds and something most anyone could dance to. I wish my German was better so I could translate some of the lyrics for this review. Unfortunately, it's limited enough that I wouldn't even attempt a translation for that purpose. However, on another note, not knowing German is not a hindrance to enjoying Umbra's music. So don't let that stop you from giving them a listen. I don't think you'll be disappointed. I've been told Umbra's is "Rammstein meets Type O Negative". And yet, their sound is truly unique. If there was a label called "Vampire Industrial" this would be the definitive band."

Rock me to the core!!

K | Bogotá D.C. | 06/15/2001

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I need to get soon my german-english dictionary, this band just plain rocks!!!! and the cover of rock me amadeus... one of the coolest songs in the history of rock, and a great tribute to falco (rip).Umbra et Imago has to be one of the greatest gothic rock outfits in the world."