BRANDUNG

The popish and upbeat ''Irgendwo, Irgendwann'' might well have been a hit in Germany, it holds lots of elements that condemn this song to my ears. Synthetic sound associated with German lyrics. A very flat mayonnaise.

The band released already two albums with German lyrics, but they managed to play long instrumental passages which kind of saved the trip. On this ''Brandung'' work, the percentage is switching dramatically, and it affects my global impression. I can't help.

Things are improving during the long instrumental part of ''Astralis'' in which I can still find the band who released three very good albums before this one.

The epic of the album is divided into four short sections. Even if the opening is fully instrumental, it lacks of their past grandeur. Some fine guitar work at the end of the second movement can also be pinpointed but these are really details to find some positive aspects in here. The first moment of relief comes with the fine and melodic keyboards oriented '' Sonnenfinsternis''.

The best moment from this work is the closing ''Dämmerung''. It ends up in a bombastic and passionate vocalize part (see, I get used to it); I only wished it should have been prolonged with some gorgeous keys, but they won't come.

My view of this album is that it is an average one. Too many sung parts and a downfall in their song writing capabilities. I will upgrade it to three stars though.