Kaltherzig - The First Cold

They've been called the 'Eastern European Blutengel', which may amuse those of you with less than sympathetic leanings towards the overtly gothique, but it's a pretty big compliment. Blutengel (despite my earlier ridiculing) are as huge as it gets, and whether you agree with his policies, side projects, or release schedule, Pohl has a lot of talent.

This Belarussian duo (third member Alice parted recently) are one of a growing number of musicians to represent the Republic, and although it's unlikely you'll see them bumping shoulders with Fabious Corpus Act, Diversant:13, Cold in May, et al, Alexander Krupp and Nika certainly have the image to make them a hit among the gothic crowd.

The release starts with the eponymously titled, which after an ambient 45 seconds, introduces some gentle instrumentation (This is where my knowledge falters, it sounds like a piano, but i'm pretty sure it isn't). At 3 and a half minutes, it's lengthy for an intro, but passable.

"Nameless Tomb" continues the melody and builds it into a track with drums and vocals, Alexander sounding exactly like a Goth vocalist should - he has a pleasing baritone pitch which is able to bring the crest of the chorus to a romantic crescendo. The backing vocals on it (I can't credit them to either Alice or Nika in particular) remind me indeed of Blutengel, but this lacks the pomp and circumstance. My criticism is the pace of the track, it's suitably slow, but doesn't really go anywhere which it seems to hint at.

"Funeral" is a track doing what the name suggests, it has a very low-pitched instrument playing a sombre melody, with the Drums acting out a backing beat. The melody that kicks in is gorgeous, and Alexander's vocals on the track are cruel and at times, spiteful. A few notes aren't as savoury as i'd like, but he's in a genre where a few bum notes can afford an endearing smile. The female vocals on this release are truly haunting, and this track at times sounds very much like 'Winter of my Life' era Blutengel.

Darkwave is a genre that can only really go in two directions : it can either retain the male/female coupling that utilise contrasting vocal techniques to form an emotive performance, or it can go all out batshit crazy like the Cruxshadows and mesmerise the majority. Kaltherzig take the traditional approach, and do it as well as any. I dare say those looking for a modern day, truly decent Blutengel CD should purchase this LP. If you feign ignorance, you can almost get away with thinking it's the same act, such is the quality on tap here.

Lengthier tracks like "Frigid Heart" and "Pale Guest" offer the strongest hint of the talent that is available, but the new-wave inspired "Inversion of the Passion" gets my vote for most noticeable track. It's dominated by the female vocals to begin with (Alex, if you let me know who did these i'll edit it in), and has Nephilim-esque Bass.

Darkwave newcomer of 2011? I'd wager so. May 06 2012