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Nuclear Blast has always been one of the most respectable labels in my book but they still have things to learn as becomes apparent with this release. Lesson to learn: do not sign bands and artists from genres that you do not know. After having listened to this debut album from Germany's own newcomer act Angelzoom I strongly suggest that they leave ambient music to labels like Prophecy Productions or Napalm Records who know what they're doing in this field. I firmly believe that this is only a way for the label to make some extra money. The reason for this is that Angelzoom features female vocalist Claudia Uhle who is part of the well-known German pop act X-Perience. The other half of Angelzoom is made up of composer Bernd Wendlandt. All instruments, mostly strings, are played by Letzte Instanz, Inchtabokatables' cellist D. Deutung and the Finnish metal cello ensemble Apocalyptica. Metal and "dark" music has indeed become fashionable today.
A collaboration between well-known musicians does not necessarily conjure something fresh or interesting. There are moments when Angelzoom remind of Enya or Dargaard but most of the time the music and the vocals lack elements that grab the listener which is necessary for this type of music. Nuclear Blast has chosen to label Angelzoom as dark ambient / electronic. They are somewhat correct in their opinion although they could have removed the word "dark" as this album does have as much in common with Enya as it has with Dargaard. Some songs are rather lofty, dreamy and uplifting while others are more downtuned and speak of sadness and tragedy. I do not have any doubts that Claudia and Bernd have worked hard for this recording but the reason for my low rating is not that they do not know music. The reason is that they do not know the genre into which they have ventured. The problem with this album is that it is not interesting or extreme enough for the gothic / metal communities but it is too extreme for pop fans.
The album does not speak to me and it leaves me with a feeling of emptiness. Not a positive kind of emptiness, it's just that you do not know what to think of the album, there are no words to describe it. Some may think that this is the greatness of the music but I don't. Angelzoom are presently residing in nowhere land and if you are looking for (dark) ambient music I suggest that you do no let Nuclear Blast make your decisions but look elsewhere.
| Tracklist |
| 1. Turn The Sky |
| 2. Blasphemous Rumours |
| 3. Otium |
| 4. Falling Leaves |
| 5. Guardian Angel |
| 6. Crawling |
| 7. Bouncing Shadows |
| 8. Sapphire Sky |
| 9. Back In The Moment |
| 10. Dream In A Church |
| 11. Lights |
| 12. Newborn Sun |
| 13. Christmas Dream |
| 14. For You I'm Bleeding |
| 15. Peace Of Mind |
: 54.16
| Buy other Angelzoom albums |
