Genre/Influences: Dark-electro & pop, wave-pop, EBM.
Background/Info: Absurd Minds strikes back after a hiatus of seven years! Stefan Grossmann, Tilo Ladwig, Nick and Timo Fischer are back on track with “Tempus Fugit”, which is the band’s 6th official album to date.
Content: Absurd Minds rapidly became a successful formation and that’s probably because of their unique sound approach. Time runs by, but the influences and global sound approach of Stefan Grossmann and his acolytes hasn’t changed. Absurd Minds has always reminded me to the bombast and refinement of Project Pitchfork. “Tempus Fugit” is an appropriated title to bring us back to the essence of Absurd Minds.
The songs are still carried by bombastic and sometimes somewhat orchestral sound treatments next to subtle and refined arrangements. There’s a constant duality between powerful parts and dreamy passages. The songs are driven by solid choruses featuring sweet melodies and other easy to remember vocal lines.
A few cuts were accomplished with guitar, which now injects a new-wave touch to the work and then a more psychedelic touch.
+ + + : “Tempus Fugit” not only marks the return of Absurd Minds, but it also is a fully accomplished and diversified opus. This work has it all: powerful cuts with carrying choruses and great melody lines and softer pieces leading you into a dreamy universe. I sometimes get the impression of hearing a hybrid sound between Project Pitchfork and Depeche Mode. “Kreuzfeuer” is a great song in the genre, but I also have to mention the modernism of “For Those Who Love”. Globally speaking this new work sounds in the line of previous albums although I like its diversity and sound production. The synths are absolutely great while Grossmann remains a charismatic singer. Last, but not least I also like the digipak of this album.
– – – : I’m not that fond of the somewhat psychedelic guitar playing (on “Hourglass”), which is quite different from what Absurd Minds are used to composing. I also have a preference for the ‘harder’ cuts although some of the ‘softer’ pieces are real beauties.
Conclusion: You don’t really get the impression Absurd Minds took a break for so many years, but “Tempus Fugit” is a noticeable comeback and one of their best albums to date!
Best songs: “For Those Who Love”, “Kreuzfeuer”, “Now We Hear The Call”, “Threnody”.
Rate: (7½).
Band: www.absurdminds.de / www.facebook.com/AbsurdMinds
Label: www.darkdimensions.de / www.facebook.com/pages/Dark–Dimensions–Label–Group/486014725206
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