Alexander S. - 13.09.2019  Let's be honest: Die Apokalyptischen Reiter has never recorded frankly unsuccessful albums. More or less, but all of the number albums were, at least, interesting to listen to. The new album is in no way inferior to its predecessors in all respects. In relation to "Moral & Wahnsinn", the first thing I want to say is this vulgar, nagging word - quality. But it’s not applicable to mastering, mixing, or professional suitability of the musicians themselves. Here, traditionally, everything is in order. I would like to apply the word "quality" directly to the musical material itself. In every note, in every melody, in every unexpected turn, wherever these five dashing horsemen of the apocalypse lead us, their indefatigable desire to play, to create catchy, catchy music is felt. It feels like they are in a buzz. And this feeling, believe me, cannot be faked by any producer or sound engineer. First of all, this is noticeable in such compositions as "Hammer oder Amboß", "Moral & Wahnsinn", "Dir gehört nichts", "Wir reiten", "Ein liebes Lied" - in which the vocalist Fuchs skillfully juggles a variety of feelings and does it only using the intonation of his voice. And this is very important, because it is the voice that quite accurately tells us about a person’s state (about his feelings, attitude to facts, and often about temperament, character traits). Musicians are also not far behind, and almost every song at the end of listening will settle in the head precisely because of its energy and non-triviality. Hence the feeling that the album was recorded quickly, without problems, with seeming simplicity. And only after repeated, attentive listening, more and more new layers in this musical canvas are revealed and understanding comes of how much work the musicians put into each note of this piece. I would also like to say separately about the design of the album, because the visual embodiment of the group is as interesting and original as the actual music that they perform. After the modestly designed previous Licht album, the cover of Moral & Wahnsinn may seem a little too caricatured. Well, and rightly so. The entire 18-page booklet is designed by a certain Heile in exactly this way - a caricature collage. In general, as Jotun remarked very accurately, "can such a charm be hidden behind such a charm?" Checked - can not. For the new album "Horsemen of the Apocalypse" from Weimar is indeed one of the contenders for the title of best album of this year. No options. And all the skepticism of militant ill-wishers will not dispute this fact.
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