DRUNKNESS - A Light Beyond the End

Songs: 13  Time:  66:11

Every so often I'll stumble across an album that is so addicting that I can't seem to stop myself from constantly listening to it.  One such album is A Light Beyond the End by Drunkness.  This is Drunkness' second official full length, and their first release on Eraser / Nova Tekk.  In the past Drunkness have dealt mostly with alien themes and this CD is no different.  Of course not every track delves into extraterrestrial subjects.  A Light Beyond the End begins with Enough (Love Me, Hate Me) which is just one of the many highlights of the disc.  Combining male and female vocals with creepy electronic sounds, a slow beat, and a churning guitar riff, this track immediately stands out.  It only gets better from here.  The Light Beyond the End is next.  With vocals that are a combination of synth-pop and electro and music that is intelligent, complex, and highly danceable, I'm positive that you'll soon find yourself singing along.  Another fantastic track is H2O; a spaced-out synth-pop adventure that deals with the possibility of aliens beneath the ocean.  The music is a compelling mixture of pulsating rhythms and crystal-clear sequences with thought provoking lyrics.  Although the vocals are delivered in German, I still find myself (attempting) to sing along with Leben; a track that sports some throttling guitar work, slightly distorted vocals, EBM beats, and metallic sequences.  Stand By My Side slows things down with airy vocals, a slow / cascading rhythm, and squeaky clean sequences.  Another vocal driven piece is Little Star.  This track continues with the synth-pop vocals, but mixes them with deep beats and genial synth lines.  Things get a bit more aggressive on Pyramids (Grey Guys or Humans.)  This track is built upon light / fluctuating sequences, minimal guitar work, steady beats, and echoing vocals.  Too Late Now is a synth-pop ballad with a drifting string section that is laid a top of an array of other orchestra-like elements including a rumbling bass drum and mild piano.  With a break-beat styled percussion and heavier sequences, Instinct to Survive is one of the rougher pieces on A Light Beyond the End.  Finally, there is a hidden track which seems to be a mega mix of nearly every track on the CD.  Overall, A Light Beyond the End is a highly addictive CD with a wide range of musical sounds.  I'd have to say that it is this months top pick.
     
NOVA TEKK / ERASER            Drunkness are:
Uferstrabbe 73                              Riccardo Stuber / Klaus Aumayr / Ferdinand Steinbart
45881 Gelsenkirchen                    Tony Goeman / Udo Schubert
Germany                                         Contact Drunkness @
Fax: ++49 209-94 12333                Schweinauer Str. 51
                                                        D-90439 Nurnberg
                                                        Germany
                                                        Fax: +49 (0) 911-6587845
                                                        e-mail: drunkness@musikserver.de
                                                        Drunkness homepage:
                                                        http://www.musikserver.de/drunkness