Genre/Influences: Cold-wave, rock-wave.

Background/Info: Last year I discovered the German duo John Edwards (guitars, vocals, synths, programming) – Richard van Kruysdijk (bass, baritone guitar, backing vocals, synths, programming) aka Palais Ideal by their debut album “No Signal” released by Dark Vinyl. Hailing from The Netherlands they now joined hands with the German label Cold Transmission to unleash their second opus, which has been produced by John Fryer.

Content: If you know their debut work you’ll easily recognize the dark sound approach running through the new songs. There’s a nice twist between elements of cold-wave and rock music. They get us back to the 80s, but also inject some modernism on top. Somewhere in between The Sisters Of Mercy and The Editors, Palais Ideal are dealing with a refreshing post-wave-rock style.

+ + + : The songwriting and global production are professional. This band doesn’t spare any effort to improve the different levels of production compared to their debut work. The songs have been perfectly accomplished while the vocals are quite charismatic. I especially like the atmosphere of this work, which has been mainly created by the guitar playing. I recommend listening to “Die Stadt” and “Everything Will Be OK”, which both are worthy of examination.

– – – : I would like to hear the songs even darker, but despite several noticeable songs I’m missing a total climax to speak about an ‘essential’ release.

Conclusion: Palais Ideal clearly try to purchase a very own sound identity and the least I can say is that they’re on the right way to succeed.

Best songs: “Die Stadt”, “Everything Will Be OK”, “Shot By Both Sides”, “The Programme”.

Rate: (7½).

Artist: www.palaisideal.net / www.facebook.com/palaisideal

Label: www.facebook.com/coldtransmissionmusic