Band: Lacrimosa
Title: Sehnsucht
Label: Hall Of Sermon
Distribution: Sony Music
Release date: 08/05/2009
Review: CD

One of the biggest names within the Goth-oriented scene, Lacrimosa, did evolve a lot since the early years, yet without betraying its original roots. In the beginning, this project brought a superb form of obscure, depressed, maso-suicidal and cold-oppressing Gothic from the deepest dungeons from Earth, but throughout the years a more Goth Rock / Gothic Metal-approach got implemented. This time is no difference. Sehnsucht too combines operatic and symphonic bombast with orchestral structures and Rock / Metal-influences, but… where’s the inspiration? What went wrong with the enthralling deepness most former releases were blessed with (at least during the early period)? Don’t get me wrong: this isn’t boring stuff at all. However, the evolution into this musical cleansing can’t permanently please me anymore. I have to admit that a few (new) elements might be interesting: more brutal and aggressive parts (like a few pieces in Mandira Nebula), the re-appreciation of melancholy-meets-introspection (think era Satura / Inferno), or the integer soberness Wollf and Nürmi developed / perfectionised during their career.
Conclusion: certainly not the band’s best album to date (personal opinion) but highly recommended to every fan of the former albums and a new step into Lacrimosa’s history.
Duration: almost an hour.

77/100

Ivan Tibos.