UMBRA ET IMAGO DUNKLE ENERGIE ALBUM SPV RELEASE: SEPTEMBER 3, 2001 REVIEW: OCTOBER 25, 2001

I don't like Umbra et Imago's pretended eroticism. If pictures of naked chicks automatically are erotic, then my long sentences qualifies me as the new James Joyce. That said, on with the music.
Umbra et Imago have made an... OK album. Despite using (the same?) Gregorian chant one time too many on "Dunkle Energie", it is actually quite listenable, sung almost entirely in German. Especially "Feuer und Licht" with the cool bag pipes kicks ass, although it sounds a bit similar to The Merry Thoughts around "Pale Empress". As we all know they sounded like The Sisters of Mercy, so that makes Umbra et Imago a wannabe wannabe Sisters, but hey, who gives? As long as a song is good, everything else is forgiven.
The rest of the album is along the same line as "Feuer und Licht", but not as enjoyable the whole way through. And please - a cover of Billy Idol's "White Wedding" in broken English? Give me a break!
The remixes of the long time favourite "Gothic Erotic" and "Mea Culpa" is a nice gift, though. If music is eroticism - this album is a one night stand, whose face you don't recall the next day.

KALLE MALMSTEDT