Vlimmer – Pulmo (EP – Blackjack Illuminist Records)
Genre/Influences: Dark-wave, post-punk, cold-wave, wave-pop.
Format: Digital, CDR, Cassette.
Background/Info: Alexander Donat has released an impressive number of EP’s over the past 5-6 years. Most titles of the EP’s are simply numbered, but from time to time he also gives a full title like this “Pulmo”-EP.
Content: “Pulmo” maybe sounds like one of the darkest productions by Vlimmer. The 80s inspiration appears to be the common thread between all releases of this project. So it feels a bit like a voyage through the past, awakening somewhere in the 80s, but still featuring a more personal touch on top. There also is some bombast running through the work although most of the songs are rather slow. The vocals are still mainly sung in Alexander’s Mother tongue.
+ + + : I’ve always enjoyed the 80s inspiration running through Vlimmer’s work and it’s not that different now. But I like the way the artist transposes this 80s aspect into something of his own. It creates a contemporary version of cold-wave music. There also is a great match between the guitar playing and the electronic sound arrangements.
– – – : I’m less convinced by the softer passages of the album.
Conclusion: Vlimmer stands for cool music appealing for 80s lovers; I can’t say that there are potential hits at this work, but still no tracks to throw away.
Best songs: “Phantompflug”, “Sonnenspeer”.
Rate: (7).
Artist: www.facebook.com/VlimmerMusic
Label: www.facebook.com/Blackjack.Illuminist
About Vlimmer
Vlimmer is the project of German musician, producer, label owner, visual artist and book author Alexander Leonard Donat, released through his own Blackjack Illuminist Records. “Pulmo” appeared partway through an eighteen-EP series that took Donat five years to complete, wrapped up by the end of 2020. Donat discussed his musical background and the Vlimmer concept in a 2021 Click Interview with Side-Line.
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