EINSAMKEIT

"Einsamkeit" is Lacrimosa's 2nd album, released merely a year after 1991's "Angst". As might be assumed by the title (German for Loneliness, or Isolation) this album is mainly about loneliness, sadness, loss of love and painful rememberance. The emotions presented in the album are quite vivid. The lyrics aren't really anything special, but they do their job in presenting Tilo Wolff's thoughts and ideas through the music. The pathetically simple guitar riffs from 'Angst' are now gone. Songs like 'Diener Eines Geistes' (Servant of a Spirit) and Traenen der Sehnsucht (Tears of Yearning) contain much better guitar work and even impressive solos in both of them. Unfortunately, this is about as 'prog rock' as the album gets. Most of the other songs are highly based on keyboards and piano, but it suits well with Tilo's voice. At times 'Einsamkeit' may seem extremely bizarre (Loblied Auf Die Zwiesamkeit) or even disturbing or painful to listen to (Reissende Blicke), but the reward is an album full of strong emotions and a high level of passion for making music. The two so- far unmentioned songs ('Bresso' and 'Einsamkeit') are perhaps the album's best. 'Einsamkeit, the title track is a melody with a carnival-like happiness and pump organs, but it is contrasted by Tilo's depressive and sombre lyrics and voice. 'Bresso' is a wonderfully written composition featuring an excellent violinist and piano. This is perhaps the most mature and well written piece on the album. It definitely shows an advancement from the beginning of Tilo's music career. Overall, 'Einsamkeit' is an album that takes getting used to, especially on the slower tracks. Prog rock fans will probably not like this album very much, but those with open minds will find themselves enjoying it. It is definitely not as dark as 'Angst' or even 'Satura', but it should please fans of many genres.