Review Summary: Just a great debut work that won’t leave you indifferent no matter what kind of songs do you prefer, melancholic ballads, profound meaningful compositions or tracks full of energy
There’s a review of SCHOENGEIST latest album ‘Wehe!’ on the website, but why not to check out how everything began? The debut record entitled ‘Liebeskrieger’ (Love Warrior) appears to be a challenge for the musicians themselves as it’s mostly an experimental and interesting work, for listeners as the songs are so complicated in their seeming simplicity that you need some time to understand, hear, feel and appreciate everything. And of course, every track may be regarded as a small challenge when one has to go through inner fights, love, war, misunderstanding and losses to find finally his or her own ‘Schoenland’ (Beautiful Land).
But let’s discuss everything in its turn starting with the opening piece ‘Unsterblich’ (Immortal): good sound, good rhythm, great vocals and everything is made in the best traditions of the dark scene, nothing strikingly new or unexpected. But don’t judge the album by the first composition as it’s meant simply to put you into the right dark and romantic mood, because the other songs demonstrates the potential of SCHOENGEIST, the band’s peculiar, unique style. With ‘Tanz mit mir’ (Dance with Me) it unfolds. The pomposity and depth created by the oriental notes interlaced with intense heavy guitars and drums and the vocalist’s emotional singing have power to impress and strongly affect a listener. The impression intensifies when ‘Weil du ein Mensch bist’ (Because You Are a Man) begins yet this time it has nothing to do with romance or melancholy and we face the reality of life, exaggerated but still sufficient, or it’s better to say, sad but true. Anyway this thought-provoking song is followed by more positive one. ‘Zucker Zucker’ (Sugar Sugar) pleases musically with its light melody, somewhat measured rhythm and beautiful violin passages so you can relax before the title track which is not only a dance floor friendly composition but also an atmospheric and beautiful piece revealing a whole story of its own. This story develops into something more desperate but expressive with the first sounds of ‘Aus und vorbei’ (It’s All Over). And this is when the real dark romance of SCHOENGEIST music is getting its strength, suggesting loneliness as the only way-out and all the questions are unanswered. ‘Boeses Blut’ (Bad Blood) is another song the lyrics of which deserve a special attention. Maybe the idea is not too original, but the delivery is different and imposing in a good way. The same can be said about ‘Immer lockt das Weib’ and ‘Mein Herz bricht’: finely chosen words supplemented with excellently mixed tunes give rise to a fantasy realm through the surreal images of which there are showed the problems of one’s life that mostly remain unseen.
‘Sesam oeffne dich’ (Open Sesam) is definitely the most complicated song on ‘Liebeskrieger’ as it produces a dubious impression. On one hand this is a mere song with the powerful melody and vocals so you can simply listen to it as the album continues. But on the other hand after listening you will feel that there is something more, even not only in the lyrics but in whole and of course any impression will be subjective. If you want a sort of the more or less objective criticism presented in a peaceful manner, ‘Graf Koks’ is right for that purpose. So it’s time for the final and wonderful instrumental piece. When everything was said and highlighted before, listeners get a chance to enjoy pure music and think about the album in general because there are really a lot of subject to ponder over. So ‘Liebeskrieger’ won’t leave you indifferent no matter what kind of songs do you prefer, melancholic ballads, profound meaningful compositions or tracks full of energy. Anyone can find something close to their nature however the whole record worth listening to.
