Excubitors – In Aeternum (CD Album – 4eck Studios)
Genre/Influences: Electro-pop.
Background/Info: The German band Excubitors are back on track unleashing their fourth full length. Set up in 2006 by the brothers Sascha- and Stephan Viereck the band is now featuring new member Ronny Strehmann. “In Aeternum” was inspired by our society and made in memoriam of Sascha’s late son.
Content: Excubitors never has dealt with the most typical electro-pop format. The sound is based upon strong and intimate ambient passages, sometimes giving a dark touch to the songs. But other songs are a bit harder, sometimes touching ground with EBM elements or carried by heavier, bombastic drum sections.
Most of the songs are sung in their Mother tongue, but you also will discover a few English sung cuts.
+ + + : I like when electro-pop formations are trying to innovate or simply bring something different from the ‘mass’. That’s what Excubitors stand for. The songs are also well-crafted and elaborated while they take care for great sound treatments. There’s absolutely nothing to say about the artistic approach of the band (which they also reflect in the artwork). I personally prefer the more up-tempo cuts, sometimes accentuated by an EBM touch (cf. “Vergebung feat. Schwarzschild”, “Run Away”. )
– – – : There are a few cool and noticeable songs, but unfortunately I can’t find a potential hit. That’s maybe what this album is missing to get a wider recognition.
Conclusion: “In Aeternum” is a sensitive and even emotional work, which also sounds like an antidote to electro-pop clichés.
Best songs: “Vergebung feat. Schwarzschild”, “Run Away”, “Proud Leaders”.
Rate: (7).
Artist & Label: www.excubitors.de / www.facebook.com/excubitors
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I have been working for over 30 years with Side-line as the main reviewer. My taste is eclectic, uncoventional and I prefer to look for the pearls, even if the bands are completely unknown, thus staying loyal to the Side-Line philosophy of nurturing new talents.
