Funker Vogt – Element 115 (Album – RepoRecords)
Genre/Influences: Dark-Electro, EBM.
Format: Digital, 2CD.
Background/Info: Three years already passed since the previous Funker Vogt album (cf. “Wastelands”). The German formation lead by Gerrit Thomas, Chris L and Rene Dornbusch however last year released the EP “Conspiracy” as an appetizer to this new work featuring thirteen new tracks plus an extra disc featuring seven songs.
Content: What is this album and its title all about? Is it about the chemical element Moscovium, which is a radioactive element? One thing is for sure, this album kicks ass! Funker Vogt moves on there where they already revealed similar power at their previous album. The songs are driven by hard-hitting kicks, aggressive sequences and heavy, symphonic leads. Chris L –for whom this is the third Funker Vogt album, mainly sings in German and English. The songs reveal a rather ‘classical’ Funker Vogt sound formula featuring the easy recognizable sound DNA of Gerrit Thomas. There are no real breaks, but a constant power is maintained till the final track.
And the second disc moves in a similar way, opening with the already familiar “The Fallen Race” (featured at their “Conspiracy”-EP. The bonus disc features a few more ‘revisited’ songs from the main disc, but still a few extra songs featuring similar rage and power.
+ + + : This new album confirms the stunning return of Funker Vogt they’ve shown at “Wastelands”. The songs are pure power, but still carried by solid and melodic choruses. The album doesn’t feature real surprises or innovative elements, but simply wants to remind us Funker Vogt has something unique. You easily recognize it in the sound treatments and global arrangements. But it also sounds like the band has really found a new breath since Chris L joined in. Songs like “Gaia”, “Invasion”, “A.I.”, “Olympus”, “What If I’m Wrong?” and “The Wanting” confirm the endless creativity of this formation. The bonus disc is a cool addition to the album. I here especially recommend “Gate Of The Gods” and the “Bonus Edit” of “Invasion”. Last, but not least I also want to say a word about the great digipak format and especially the booklet featuring cool illustrations. “Element 115” reveals Funker Vogt in great light!
– – – : The last song from the first disc is one of the single cuts that couldn’t convince me.
Conclusion: “Element 115” is a new essential production in the impressive Funker Vogt discography. The band doesn’t maybe bring something really new, but they at least hold on their impressive sound and power.
Best songs: “Gaia”, “Invasion”, “A.I.”, “Olympus”, “What If I’m Wrong?” + “Gate Of The Gods”, “Invasion – Bonus Edit”, “The Fallen Race – Bonus Edit”.
Rate: (8½).
Artist: www.funkervogt.de / www.facebook.com/officialfunkervogt
Label: www.reporecords.de / www.facebook.com/pages/Repo-Records/119590774857404
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