Gothika - Zeitgeist
Author: sadOasisArtist: Gothika
Title: Zeitgeist
Format: Album
Release Date: 10.23.2009
Price: 12 Euros
My Rating
Sound Quality - 8/10
Length - 10/10
Songs - 8/10
Overall Score - 9/10
Gothika’s second full-length album has been a delight for fans. Their new sound provides a brand of atmosphere classic to the band, with a fresh new melody. Compared with their previous album, 120 Days of Sodom, Zeitgeist takes on a more melancholic with a hint of militaristic approach and more danceable tune. The lyrics for the album are mostly in English, except for their cover song of Army march drawn sword police. Fans are introduced to new vocal melody by Andro and a new Gothika all together. Beginning with Overture, the song provides a nice introduction into the massive joy of melody coming from the rest of the album. With Gusano next, you can mildly hear Selia’s (Seileen) voice. The introduction to Andro’s singing is interesting, as his voice becomes monotones but provides a sense of mystery to the song. The chorus is very catching, but hard to understand unless following the lyric booklet. This song could have made better if Selia’s voice could have played a bigger part, but it’s none the less a great track.
Abattoir is a personal favorite (among many) from this album. The lyrics are especially deep and meaningful, and the music is very steps it up with a danceable tune. This is followed by Precious Earth, a new arrangement of an Euthanasie song. The song has a milder melody, with a more electronic feel than its predecessors. The lyrics are easier to understand than its original mix. Andro’s voice is evident at complimenting 449’s melody in this track.
Another personal favorite is Echolalia. The song is extremely catchy, from beginning to end, Andro’s lyrics and 449’s music captivate me.
Another song rearranged from their Euthanasie days is Adonis. The lyrics are quiet interesting, and unlike its original industrial version, it is more upbeat, holding a dance essence. Papilio, Partisan and Titan remind me a bit of the Euthanasie, partly because the way Andro modifies his voice as he use to, and 449’s music also follows their traditional industrial/electronic elements.
Master Sergeant and Army march drawn sword police are very militaristic songs. Master Sergeant seems appropriate for the band’s style of soldierly aggressive melody. Originally named “Army march drawn sword police squadron,” the song is a remix by the conductor Syouriki after World War II and was dedicated to the Japanese men who had died during the war. 449 arranged the song with a fantastic Industrial approach, while Andro provides his great vocals to compliment this “patriotic” song. The remixes offer an alternative charisma to the tracks. It was only appropriate that Lt. Dee Lee of 2bullet to remix Army march drawn sword police, doing a fantastic job adding to the militaristic the Hard Porn Mix of Adonis by DJ RAM & SD is a special appealing song. Guitar samples are added and the melody is modified to a more aggressive tone.
Zeitgeist gives a different side of the band, perhaps a transition to their new style and melodic approach. Either way, it is an excellent release, and definitely worth listening to.
Tracklist
1. Overture
2. Gusano (feat. Selia)
3. Abattoir
4. Precious Earth
5. Papilio
6. Master Sergeant
7. Army march drawn sword police
8. Partisan
9. Echolalia
10. Titan
11. Adonis
12. Echolalia remixed by Suicidal Romance
13. Gusano Biohazard mix by Ira-k Organisation
14. Echolalia remixed by Neon Synthesis
15. Army march drawn sword police 0075 mix by Dee Lee from 2 Bullet
16. Adonis (DJ RAM & SD Hard Porn Mix) remixed by DJ RAM & SD
Links
Official Myspace
Purchase through:
Danse Macabre Group
Amazong mp3 purchase