Genre/Influences: EBM, body-pop.

Background/Info: Twelve years have passed since the “Gegen Den Strom”-album (2004) released on Accession Records. We got a couple of EP’s in the meantime, but “Traumatized” announced the comeback of Lights Of Euphoria. The line-up still consists of Jimmy Machon and Torben Schmidt while Thomas Gaarn joined in as a new member. “Traumatized” is the 7^th full length by the Danish-German combo.

Content: This album sounds a bit like a new start and the least I can say is that it was a long, but prolific break when it comes to speak about efficiency and sound creativity. “Traumatized” takes off a rather familiar way with body-pop music revealing vague Depeche Mode influences. Quite progressively the work becomes harder and even harsh and into pure EBM. The songs are well-crafted and meticulously elaborated. “Traumatized” reveals outstanding bass lines, aggressive sequences, raw sound treatments and Jimmy Machon singing with more rage and charisma than ever before.

Lights Of Euphoria remains faithful to some of their most familiar influences and I especially refer to the great melody lines. It sounds a bit old-styled and ‘poppy’ as well while totally matching with the harder essence of the production.

The album ends with a cover version of Depeche Mode’s “Stripped” featuring Soman. It’s an interesting cut as you rapidly recognize the original song, which has been adapted into the typical Soman-style.

+ + + : “Traumatized” is a fully successful album revealing all the maturity of the band, which mainly excels in the global sound research and treatments. The EBM influences have never been this strong and efficient. The global production –with a special mention for the vocals, is absolutely great. The song “Schwarze Sonne” which was previously released as EP title song (2012) is my personal favorite cut.

– – – : The pop ingredients referring to Depeche Mode as the debut song is not exactly the best element of the work.

Conclusion: It’s really weird what a break can do with artists, but not many bands are striking back with force and brilliance like Lights Of Euphoria did on “Traumatized”.

Best songs: “Schwarze Sonne”, “Under My Spell”, “Waiting”, “Book Of Lies”, “Questions”, “Stripped feat. Soman”.

Rate: (8).

Band: www.facebook.com/lightsofeuphoria

Label: www.infacted–recordings.de / www.facebook.com/pages/Infacted–Recordings/124099254321690