After more than 25 years in Germany’s dark music scene, Felsenreich have released their sixth studio album “Motiv und Tempo” via Danse Macabre. The record entered the Deutsche Alternative Charts (DAC) at number 5 in week 33 and held on at number 7 the following week. It also shows the band taking a noticeably different approach.
A Leaner Sound for Felsenreich
The band’s earlier albums leaned towards the opulent. On “Motiv und Tempo” the songs are built in a much more direct way and often recall post-punk and wave. What has not changed is the band’s knack for memorable melodies. Wide guitars and floating keyboards carry them, with a cool and restrained vocal delivery on top. The lyrics are partly in German and partly in English.
The album was recorded at the Highline Studio in Munich, where Felsenreich were joined by musicians from the wave band Escape With Romeo. Their drummer Frenzy Erl produced the record, as he has done for Felsenreich since 2017.
Strength Drawn from the Past
One theme runs through the whole album. Looking back at what has been can give you the strength to cope with the present, however hard it may be. This is the motif behind the title, set against the pace of our times. The band themselves describe the album as a message of encouragement.
For DJs the band recommend “Nightboundtrain” as a starting point, along with “I Will Tell You” and “Glorious Solution”. The lyric video for “Über uns der Himmel” is a good first look at the new material.
About Felsenreich
Felsenreich were founded in 1998 by Mathias Sohn, Renato Wesely and Carsten Schaller, who all share vocal duties. Sohn also plays keyboards and trumpet, Wesely the acoustic guitar and Schaller the electric guitar. Their name stands for a self-contained musical realm that is meant to stay solid as rock in changing times.
Musically they move between gothic rock and post-punk, often with a strong electronic side. Since 2008 their albums have appeared on Danse Macabre, the label founded by the late Bruno Kramm of Das Ich.
Felsenreich have shared stages with acts such as Marilyn Manson and Project Pitchfork and have played the Wave-Gotik-Treffen in Leipzig several times. In 2010 they added an acoustic and literary programme, which also took them to Ireland for live shows.
Listen to “Felsenreich – Motiv und Tempo” on Spotify
Note on transparency
Advertisement / Sponsored Post: This article was produced in paid partnership with Felsenreich.
