Vlimmer – Zerschöpfung (Album – Blackjack Illuminist Records)
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Genre/Influences: Dark-Wave, Gothic, Post-Punk, Shoegaze.
Format: Digital, CD, Cassette.
Background/Info: Vlimmer is the main project of German musician and label owner Alexander Leonard Donat. After having released a unique series of 18 (!) EP’s in between 2015 and 2020 he since then released two albums. “Zerschöpfung” is Vlimmer’s third full length featuring nine songs about dark, existential, themes.
Content: The concept sounds dark and the album takes off this way as well. After a poignant, Gothic-like intro cut Vlimmer explores the darkest corners of Dark-Wave music. The album moves in a similar way although not always featuring a similar darkness. Guitar and electronics parts create a melodic but tormented sphere which might remind you of the 8os spirit. All songs are still sung in German.
+ + + : The debut part of the album sounds like Vlimmer at its best. I especially enjoy the tortured atmosphere emerging at “Flurfall”. You literally feel a kind of painful expression there. Other tracks like “Platzwart” are more melodic although still exploring the dark side of life. “Fatalideal” sounds pure 80s like and even evokes the imaginary hybrid between X Mal Deutschland and Cocteau Twins.
– – – : Speaking for myself I regret the album doesn’t sound as dark as “Flurfall” which sounds to me as a true referential song for this artist.
Conclusion: This is probably my favorite Vlimmer-album thus far which sounds as a production for dark souls.
Best songs: “Flurfall”, “Platzwart”, “Fatalideal”, “Losigkeit”, “Austrocknung”.
Rate: 8.
Artist: www.facebook.com/VlimmerMusic
Label: www.facebook.com/Blackjack.Illuminist
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