Das Ich – Fanal (Digital/CD/Vinyl/Cassette Album – Danse Macabre Records)
“Fanal” is the first new album by Das Ich in almost 20 years. Bruno Kramm and, in particular, vocalist Stefan Ackermann went through turbulent times, which meant that a new album failed to materialize for a long period. Eventually, during the COVID era, work began on a completely different project that ultimately evolved into “Fanal”.
“Fanal” stands for a beacon — a light meant to warn humanity of its inevitable decline. Das Ich have lost none of their original dramatic intensity and depth. The lyrics, still performed in their native language, sound extremely dark and hopeless. They reflect a world in decay, a civilization in the process of destroying itself. This perspective is both philosophical and deeply human, making extensive use of rich and symbolic imagery. Musically, this is reinforced by the unmistakable bombast of Kramm’s electronic structures and orchestral arrangements, now enhanced by his own cello performances. The songs feel raw and theatrical, more than ever resembling the perfect Soundtrack for an apocalyptic, nihilistic film. Despite the heaviness, the music remains danceable, even featuring a decidedly club-oriented track (see “Dantes Hölle”). Ackermann’s voice continues to send shivers down the spine and is powerfully complemented by Kramm’s heavier, almost operatic vocals.
As for the remixes, they appear primarily as a challenge and an exercise in creative freedom. Das Ich could have taken the easy route and invited other Gothic or Dark-Wave bands, but instead deliberately opted for stylistic contrast. Collaborations with acts such as Frozen Plasma, Kontrast, Mildreda, System Noire, Untersicht, Xotox, ao result in original reinterpretations infused with Dark-Electro, Future-Pop, and Industrial influences. The release also includes two alternative versions by Das Ich themselves.
Das Ich have been back on stage for some time now, but with “Fanal” they also return with a truly impressive album. The band sounds as if they never left, clearly demonstrating that they still have much to offer the Gothic scene. A new masterpiece. (Rating:9).
Listen to “Vanitas”:
Read the news on ‘Fanal’.
About Das Ich
Das Ich was founded in 1989 by vocalist Stefan Ackermann and Bruno Kramm in Bayreuth, Germany. Known for an orchestral industrial sound and theatrical staging, the duo became one of the central acts of Neue Deutsche Todeskunst in the early 1990s, and released its debut album “Die Propheten” in 1991 through Danse Macabre, the label Kramm co-founded.
Across the 1990s and 2000s the band issued albums such as “Staub” (1994), “Egodram” (1998), and “Antichrist” (2002), touring widely in Europe and the United States. After a long quiet period tied to Ackermann’s health, Das Ich re-emerged with the single “Lazarus” in 2025, and “Fanal” is its first full-length album in almost twenty years.
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