Genre/Influences: Neo-Classic, Cinematic, Gothic.

Format: Digital, CD, Vinyl, Cassette.

Background/Info: The new album by Sopor Aeternus & The Ensemble Of Shadows has been released the same day as the EP “The Colours”. This opus has been released in different formats and features eighteen songs.

Content: The introduction song directly evokes the typical, melancholic, atmosphere created by Anna-Varney Cantodea. Together with the 7 musicians of The Ensemble Of Shadows the work excels in Neo-Classic arrangements, Gothic moods and emotional, theatrical, vocals. The work reveals different instrumental tracks accentuating the growing Cinematic approach of the German project.

+ + + : Sopor Aeternus remains ‘the’ most artistic project from the underground scene I know. It’s a ‘total’ concept wherein music, lyrics and artwork have been accomplished to the most minute detail. The music is mixing different influences together but remains touched by this unique and graceful sound DNA Anna-Varney Cantodea has used to familiarize us. It totally matches with the emotional singing; you can feel sadness and pain while music and ‘creation’ might remain the best cure to move on… Everything sounds dark but still subtle which is an aspect that also comes back in the lyrics. The title song reflects this delicacy and leaves the listener/reader with his own imagination. The album features multiple outstanding cuts featuring orchestral sound arrangements but still this Sopor Aeternus ‘trademark’ created by the power and emotion of real instruments like violin, cello, trombone, trumpet ao. The album also has a strong visual appeal because of its Cinematic approach. 

– – – : From a very personal point of view I don’t consider this album as the ‘best’ one ever composed by the artist. It sounds maybe too explicit in the Cinematic approach although there’s nothing wrong with that… just a personal impression.

Conclusion: The numerous fans of Sopor Aeternus & The Ensemble Of Shadows will discover a new masterpiece in addition to the impressive discography of their favorite band; dark, melancholic, graceful and artistic.

Best songs: “Come And Play With Us”, “Nobody Home”, “Counter Spell”, “Alone At Sam’s”, “The Colours”, “The House Of Poe”.

Rate: 9.

Artist: www.soporaeternus.de / www.facebook.com/sopor.aeternus.offiziell

Label: www.trisol.de / www.facebook.com/pages/Trisol-Music-Group/104166526285471

About Sopor Aeternus & The Ensemble Of Shadows

Sopor Aeternus & The Ensemble Of Shadows is a neoclassical dark wave project from Frankfurt, Germany, founded in 1989 by Anna-Varney Cantodea. The project’s catalogue includes the albums “Ich töte mich…” (1994), “Todeswunsch” (1995), “Dead Lovers’ Sarabande” (1999), “Songs from the Inverted Womb” (2000), “Les Fleurs du Mal” (2007), “Poetica” (2013), “Mitternacht” (2014), “The Spiral Sacrifice” (2018), “Death & Flamingos” (2019), and “Island of the Dead” (2020), released on the Apocalyptic Vision label.

“Alone At Sam’s – An Evening With…”, an eighteen-track album performed with the seven musicians of The Ensemble Of Shadows, was released alongside the companion EP “The Colours” on the same day.

Inferno Sound Diaries

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.

www.side-line.com

Genre/Influences: Gothic, Cinematic, Neo-Classic.

Format: Digital, CD, Vinyl, Cassette.

Background/Info: Anna-Varney Cantodea and the lovely Ensemble Of Shadows strike back with four new songs which each cover a colour.

Content: This work sounds very Cinematic-like and there’s only one single cut featuring vocals. The listener embarks on a dark and melancholic voyage created by an artistic ensemble playing acoustic instruments like violin, cello, trombone, trumpet, bass guitar and drums. The work is moving from dark, dreamy, passages into pure sadness. 

+ + + : No doubt about it Sopor Aeternus & The Ensemble Of Shadows would be the perfect project to compose a great Soundtrack. This work sounds a tiny atypical although revealing the familiar sound and influences of the project. “Orange” is a more ‘classical’ cut featuring Anna-Varney Cantodea’s bewitching timbre of voice. Speaking for myself I especially like the violin play at this work which empowers the melancholic sensation.

– – – : Sopor Aeternus & The Ensemble Of Shadows with less vocals sounds different and I miss this unique sensation of Cantodea singing.

Conclusion: This work is a cool addendum to the new album “Alone At Sam’s – An Evening With​.​.​.”

Best songs: “Orange”, “White”, “Purple”.

Rate: 8.

Artist: www.soporaeternus.de / www.facebook.com/sopor.aeternus.offiziell

Label: www.trisol.de / www.facebook.com/pages/Trisol-Music-Group/104166526285471

About Sopor Aeternus & The Ensemble Of Shadows

Sopor Aeternus & The Ensemble Of Shadows is a neoclassical dark wave project from Frankfurt, Germany, founded in 1989 by Anna-Varney Cantodea. The project’s catalogue includes the albums “Ich töte mich…” (1994), “Todeswunsch” (1995), “Dead Lovers’ Sarabande” (1999), “Songs from the Inverted Womb” (2000), “Les Fleurs du Mal” (2007), “Poetica” (2013), “Mitternacht” (2014), “The Spiral Sacrifice” (2018), “Death & Flamingos” (2019), and “Island of the Dead” (2020), released on the Apocalyptic Vision label.

The four-track EP “The Colours” was released on the same day as the album “Alone At Sam’s – An Evening With…”, and features the seven musicians of The Ensemble Of Shadows on largely instrumental arrangements.

Inferno Sound Diaries

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.

www.side-line.com

Referring to the events that unfolded globally, 2023 has again been a bloody, terrible year. Music continues to be a true therapy for soothing pain and suffering, though it seems to have a diminishing impact on the ongoing horror. Therefore, I’m once again wrapping up the year with a personal selection of my very own ‘best of’ albums.

Throughout the year, over 700 productions were selected, and 450 reviews were conducted. Some productions were declined because the style of music didn’t fit, others weren’t reviewed for not being ‘good enough’, while a final portion of reviews will be postponed to early 2024. I am immensely grateful to all the labels, bands, and promoters for considering my work, and I look forward to collaborating again in 2024.

I extend my deepest gratitude and thanks to Rich Bova (NEIKKA RPM), who has been reading, correcting, and improving the reviews for many years. Without Rich, these reviews would not exist. I also want to thank Bernard Van Isacker, chief editor of Side-Line Music Magazine, for our ongoing, successful collaboration. Last but not least, I thank my lovely wife, Katja, for giving me the time and freedom to pursue my passion.

However…

Looking ahead to 2024, I’ve been scaling back my activities for a few years and plan to reduce them further. Having started with my first reviews and interviews back in 1991, I feel the end drawing near. My aim is to reach 2025, but nothing is certain. I’ve grown a bit tired and disillusioned with how things are evolving.

That’s why I want to express a big ‘F*** you’ to so-called ‘artists’ and label owners who fail to realize or appreciate the work I do in creating reviews and preparing interviews to spotlight them. Guys, I do this for free and in my free time! The attitude and lack of respect shown by some – fortunately a very few – is very, very sad. But, I’m afraid it reflects the world we live in. Behind a genius artist doesn’t always stand a great person. It’s odd realizing that the ‘biggest’ and long-established artists in this scene are often the most accessible.

Writing reviews remains highly subjective and a source of discussion. Remember, it’s always the reviewer’s perception. I assure you, I always strive to substantiate my reviews as best as possible. A review is subjective but must be honest!

Like every year, I’ve selected the best albums of the year 2023. This ‘TOP 25’ encompasses various styles like EBM, Dark-Electro, IDM, Synth-Pop, Ethereal, Dark-Ambient, Industrial, Ritual, Cinematic, Gothic, Post-Punk, Cold/Dark-Wave, Dark-Techno, and a few related genres. It’s always an exciting yet challenging task.

This ‘TOP 25’ is based on the promotional material I received, excluding compilations, ‘best of’ productions, EPs, and singles. So, here’s my ‘TOP 25’ from 2023, and don’t forget to share it with your friends…

Stéphane Froidcoeur (for Inferno Sound Diaries/Side-Line Reviews)

Top 25 albums of the year 2023

1. CERULEAN VEINS “Black” Cold Transmission Music
2. LIEBKNECHT “Fabrikat” Ant-Zen
3. FRONTIER GUARDS “Colony” Aliens Production
4. SOPOR AETERNUS & THE ENSEMBLE OF SHADOWS “Alone At Sam’s – An Evening With…” Apocalyptic Vision / Trisol
5. WAVESHARD “Waveshard” Corvus Records
6. THE EMPATH “Black Hole” Audiophob
7. VNV NATION “Electric Sun” Metropolis Records
8. EFF DST “Incarnate” Ant-Zen
9. ENZO KREFT “XL” Enzo Kreft
10. DELEYAMAN “The Sudbury Inn” TTO Records
11. GIRLS UNDER GLASS “Backdraft” Dependent Records
12. ALIEN VAMPIRES “Return Me To Hell” Alfa Matrix
13. SUN’S SPECTRUM “The Silence After The Fall” Cold Transmission Music
14. DANIEL MYER “Hingab” Sonic Groove
15. SHROUDS “Shrouds” Hands
16. DIARY OF DREAMS “Melancholin” Accession Records
17. MONO INC “Ravenblack” NoCut / SPV
18. ROME “Gates Of Europe” Trisol
19. OHNE NOMEN “The S-Witch” Cold Transmission Music
20. THE SEVEN WHORES OF THE APOCALYPSE “All Through The Waste” Scanner / Dark Dimensions
21. SPANKTHENUN “The Bunker Tapes Vol.3” SpankTheNun
22. BLACKCARBURNING “Watching Sleepers” COP International
23. GOD BODY DISCONNECT “The Weight Of Regression” Cryo Chamber
24. MILDREDA “Blue-Devilled” Dependent Records
25. PASCAL SAVY “Simulacra” Cyclic Law

Inferno Sound Diaries

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.

www.side-line.com

Genre/Influences: Dark-Ambient.

Format: Digital, CD, Vinyl, Cassette.

Background/Info: Sopor Aeternus & The Ensemble Of Shadows strike back with a very special work. The new single features two title songs, which are original demo recordings of “Dark Delight” and “Penance & Pain” (2002). This is a Dark-Ambient composition. 

Content: It’s not an easy thing to recognize both songs, which are totally different and transposed into a pure Dark-Ambient and Cinematographic style. Both instrumental cuts have been accentuated in darkness, becoming both obscure compositions. “Averno” is driven by deep, vibrating sound waves while “Inferno” moves a step further and has been accomplished by orchestral arrangements.

+ + + : This record clearly sounds different from what you’re used to hearing from Sopor Aeternus. It’s a different style, like an artist leaving his comfort zone to show another side. It’s not a ‘classical’ Dark-Ambient format as it also has a true Cinematographic approach, but the result is similar to Master releases from the Dark-ambient genre. Especially “Inferno” is an impressive piece of music, which evolves into a crescendo until reaching its climax through the orchestral arrangements. This is an obscure production with a strong visual strength.

– – – : “Averno” sounds cool, but rather as a warm-up to the more accomplished and efficient “Inferno”.

Conclusion: If Caravaggio transposed the vision of hell into paintings, Sopor Aeternus & The Ensemble Of Shadows put it into sound.

Best songs: “Inferno”.

Rate: 8.

Side-Line reported on the release in November 2021.

Artist: www.soporaeternus.de / www.facebook.com/sopor.aeternus.offiziell

Label: www.trisol.de / www.facebook.com/pages/Trisol-Music-Group/104166526285471

About Sopor Aeternus & The Ensemble Of Shadows

Sopor Aeternus & The Ensemble of Shadows is the long-running darkwave project of Anna-Varney Cantodea, founded in Frankfurt, Germany, in 1989. Early on 3 self-distributed demo cassettes appeared (“Es reiten die Toten so schnell…” in 1989; “Rufus” and “Till Time and Times Are Done” in 1992) circulating in the European goth scene. The project signed later on with Apocalyptic Vision for its official releases.

The official album debut, “…Ich töte mich jedesmal aufs Neue, doch ich bin unsterblich, und ich erstehe wieder auf … in einer Vision des Untergangs…” (1994), established the project’s blend of neoclassical darkwave, chamber instrumentation and theatrical vocals. It was followed by “Todeswunsch (Sous le soleil de Saturne)” (1995) and “The Inexperienced Spiral Traveller (Aus dem Schoß der Hölle Ward Geboren die Totensonne)” (1997). “Songs from the Inverted Womb” (2000/2001) offered more modern-classical textures.

The 2000s combined archival collections, such as the “Like a Corpse Standing in Desperation” box, with studio albums and reissues. In 2019, Sopor released “Death and Flamingos”, offering a rawer deathrock-tinged sound.

The cycle around “Island of the Dead” (2020) and short-form releases such as “The Dead” (2020) preceded the single “Averno / Inferno”, issued in 2021 on Trisol, and the later albums “The Rules” (2023) and “Fab Dead Cult Veil” (2024).

Inferno Sound Diaries

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.

www.side-line.com

Genre/Influences: Neo-classic, gothic, cinematographic.

Format: Digital, CD, Vinyl, Cassette.

Background/Info: Anna-Varney Cantodea set up Sopor Aeternus in 1989. The project rapidly became a  phenomenon and the growing recognition never stopped. Thirty one years later Sopor Aeternus & The Ensemble Of Shadows unleash their newest work featuring eleven songs. Anna-Varney Cantodea remains the heart & soul of the project while the Ensemble Of Shadows features seven musicians (playing drums, violin, cello, trumpet, bass, banjo and trombone). This new work comes one year after the surprising death-rock release “Death And Flamingos”.

Content: Sopor Aeternus moves back to its familiar neo-classic/gothic driven style, which remains characterized by the play of authentic instruments. The sound of the cello, violin or trombone for example reinforce the sad mood covering the songs. Anna-Varney Cantodea accentuates this sadness by adding delicate sound treatments and then bombastic arrangements. Some typical ingredients like the sound of a carrion are resonating in the background while the trumpet play injects this very particular solemn touch. The work is empowered by guitar sounds while carried by dark, heavenly melodies. On top of it all the charisma and emotive production of Anna-Varney’s vocals are achieving this work with an extra sensitive touch. 

+ + + : I was touched by the title of this album, which also is the title of one of my favorite paintings by symbolist painter Arnold Böcklin. I don’t think this album refers to this painting although I imagine Anna-Varney Cantodea sitting in the boat featured on Böcklin’s canvas, which is slowly sailing towards a mysterious place… a place of eternal sleep! Well, this album makes me think of a painting or a book with its different chapters. The music reflects this unique, artistic sadness this musician has used to familiarize us. It also reflects the lyrical theme(s) about an impossible- or should I say inaccessible love. It’s not just sadness as the work deals with existential themes and Sopor Aeternus has been always a meticulous artisan to express it by music. And what I’ve always experienced in the work of Anna-Varney Cantodea is not only its authenticity, but also sincerity! No, Sopor Aeternus is not simply gothic music, it’s art! Some of the melody lines remind me of soundtracks written by another master, Ennio Morricone, while the global mood has something of classical works like the “Stabat Mater” from Pergolesi or the one from Vivaldi. The work resulted from a true passion for music and I guess perfectionism for any little detail. Sadness has been transformed into artistic beauty while darkness became grace! It’s hard to say which is my favorite Sopor Aeternus album, but right now I should say without hesitation “Island Of The Dead”… an obscure title for a sonic experience that still gets me in its grip.

– – – : I can’t really imagine any minus points about this work, but let’s say that some of the last songs aren’t my favorite ones while the opening cuts are just brilliant!

Conclusion: There albums we can simply be grateful to they exist and if they exist it’s thanks to the genius of their composer. I don’t believe in perfectionism, but if it has to be invented, Sopor Aeternus would be its sculptor.

Best songs: “Minotaur”, “Black Magic Spell”, “Poison”, “Saturn Rising”, “Burial Ground”, “Cold”.

Rate: (9½).

Artist: www.soporaeternus.de / www.facebook.com/pg/sopor.aeternus.offiziell

Label: www.trisol.de / www.facebook.com/pages/Trisol-Music-Group/104166526285471

About Sopor Aeternus & The Ensemble Of Shadows

Sopor Aeternus & The Ensemble Of Shadows is a neoclassical dark wave project from Frankfurt, Germany, founded in 1989 by Anna-Varney Cantodea. The project’s catalogue includes the albums “Ich töte mich…” (1994), “Todeswunsch” (1995), “Dead Lovers’ Sarabande” (1999), “Songs from the Inverted Womb” (2000), “Les Fleurs du Mal” (2007), “Poetica” (2013), “Mitternacht” (2014), “The Spiral Sacrifice” (2018), “Death & Flamingos” (2019), and “Island of the Dead” (2020), released on the Apocalyptic Vision label. The project later followed with the ambient album “Averno / Inferno” in 2021 and “The Rules” in 2023, and the “Alone At Sam’s – An Evening With…” album alongside the companion EP “The Colours” in 2024.

Inferno Sound Diaries

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.

www.side-line.com

A verdict in the EU top court – which lasted for 22 years (!) – is defining the rules of musicsampling. The legal battle involved the German band Kraftwerk versus rap artist Moses Pelham who sampled 2 seconds of Kraftwerk’s “Metall auf Metall” single from 1977. Pelham looped the sample into the hip-hop track “Nur mir” produced for vocalist Sabrina Setlur in 1997.

The European Court of Justice (ECJ) in Luxembourg ruled in favor of Kraftwerk, stating that a permission needed to be obtained to sample another musician’s song. Even if the clip used is very short, in this case 2 seconds. However, if the sample is modified in “a form unrecognizable to the ear” the music producer’s rights would not be violated.

Moses Pelham’s actions remain peanuts compared to the German rapper Bushido who really hit the jackpot as far as stealing music. He had to pay over €60,000 to the French gothic band Dark Sanctuary for having lifted – and this is not a joke – 16 of their tracks without consent and calling them his own. Bushido also ‘stole’ music from Sopor Aeternus & the Ensemble of Shadows, Dimmu Borgir, Nox Arcana, etc..

Bernard - Side-Line Staff

Chief editor of Side-Line – which basically means I spend my days wading through a relentless flood of press releases from labels, artists, DJs, and zealous correspondents. My job? Strip out the promo nonsense, verify what’s actually real, and decide which stories make the cut and which get tossed into the digital void. Outside the news filter bubble, I’m all in for quality sushi and helping raise funds for Ukraine’s ongoing fight against the modern-day axis of evil. Besides music I’m also an SEO and AI content flow specialist and have an interest in everything finance from stocks to crypto. There is music in everything!

side-line.com

Out in August is a strictly limited 7″ vinyl edition from the album “Death & Flamingos”. The hand-numbered release by Anna-Varney Cantodea holds just one track, “The Boy must die”.

The track is taken from the 2019 album “Death and Flamingos”.

The 7 inch comes strictly limited to 500 copies worldwide. You can check the song below.

Bernard - Side-Line Staff

Chief editor of Side-Line – which basically means I spend my days wading through a relentless flood of press releases from labels, artists, DJs, and zealous correspondents. My job? Strip out the promo nonsense, verify what’s actually real, and decide which stories make the cut and which get tossed into the digital void. Outside the news filter bubble, I’m all in for quality sushi and helping raise funds for Ukraine’s ongoing fight against the modern-day axis of evil. Besides music I’m also an SEO and AI content flow specialist and have an interest in everything finance from stocks to crypto. There is music in everything!

side-line.com

Out today is the newest album by Sopor Aeternus & the Ensemble of Shadows: “Death & Flamingos”. Recorded in August, 2018 in Karlsdorf, Germany at the Tidalwave Studio it brings the band in deathrock waters so to speak.

It is the 14th album by Sopor Aeternus & the Ensemble of Shadows and you can order it right here on vinyl and right here as a CD plus book. It is the first deathrock album from the project actually.

Sopor Aeternus & the Ensemble of Shadows was founded in 1989, and began as a Neue Deutsche Todeskunst musical project. Three demo tapeswere recorded between 1989 and 1992 after which the band, now reduced to just Anna-Varney Cantodea, signed with Apocalyptic Vision and released a first album, “…Ich töte mich…”. The album, like the demo tapes before it, offered darkwave music with a neo-classical bent. Later on she moved into a more dark folk, neo-medieval direction.

Here’s a preview of the album:

Eldrina Mich

As Eldrina Mich I work as a go-between and a devil’s advocate when it comes to Side-Line. If our own staff needs to be interviewed then ask the questions no one else dares to ask.

www.side-line.com

Out in the next few days are the re-releases on vinyl of the 1999 releases “Dead Lovers’ Sarabande” (Face One) and “Dead Lovers’ Sarabande” (Face Two) by Sopor Aeternus & the Ensemble of Shadows. They were respectively the 4th and 5th album by the darkwave band Sopor Aeternus & the Ensemble of Shadows and formed the first concept albums by the band. The albums detail the mourning of a lover who has recently passed.

This new edition is a stripped-down one version, holding no gatefold-covers, posters or signatures. They come with a simple cover, and on classic black vinyl in 180gram audiophile quality with printed inner sleeves. While not adding anything new, Anna-Varney Cantodea, however, had the original negatives re-scanned in high resolution and re-created the artwork. Also the audio has been re-mastered especially for these vinyl re-releases.

Note that the reissues come strictly limited to 500 copies world-wide. You can order the first part right here, the second part right here. Highly recommended!

Sopor Aeternus is reportedly working on an all new album, we’ll keep you posted.

Bernard - Side-Line Staff

Chief editor of Side-Line – which basically means I spend my days wading through a relentless flood of press releases from labels, artists, DJs, and zealous correspondents. My job? Strip out the promo nonsense, verify what’s actually real, and decide which stories make the cut and which get tossed into the digital void. Outside the news filter bubble, I’m all in for quality sushi and helping raise funds for Ukraine’s ongoing fight against the modern-day axis of evil. Besides music I’m also an SEO and AI content flow specialist and have an interest in everything finance from stocks to crypto. There is music in everything!

side-line.com