Band:	Umbra Et Imago
Album:	Imago Picta
Style:	Neue Deutsche Härte, Gothic metal
Website:	http://www.umbraetimago.de
Release date:	2006
A review by:	KwonVerge

Disc I [Live CD]
01. Märchenlied
02. Sweet Gwendoline
03. Egoismus
04. Schlag Mich
05. Hörst Du Mein Rufen
06. Sagt Nein
07. Memento Mori
08. Stalker
09. Ein Letztes Mal
10. Rock Me Amadeus

Disc II [Bonus DVD]
01. Märchenlied
02. Sweet Gwendoline
03. Egoismus
04. Schlag Mich
05. Devotion
06. Hörst Du Mein Rufen
07. Sagt Nein
08. Memento Mori
09. Stalker
10. Money
11. Ein Letztes Mal
12. Alles Schwarz
13. Lieber Gott
14. Rock Me Amadeus
+ Lutz And Mozart Dialogue
+ Umbra Et Imago History
+ Extra Bonus Track

Umbra Et Imago is one of the first gothic/dark acts in Germany when the time comes to speak about the 90s. Formed back in the birth of the 90s by Mozart, Umbra Et Imago evoked a new era of darkness and dark eroticism that has been kept alive for 15 years now. The sound of the band didn't remain static, on the contrary, with each album they tended to unfold new soundscapes, yet always keeping the dark, erotic feeling and personallity of their compositions. What is worth mentioning is that they were one of the first acts back in the birth of the 90s to have a live S&M show on stage, something they keep up to nowadays and I can inform you that it's not like the cheap porn of Cradle Of Filth, Blutengel or some black metal acts that want to show the "earthly desires opposing God".

Umbra Et Imago returned during 2006 with a new release, "Imago Picta", a live release that has everything you may ask from such an attempt. A live CD consisting of 10 compositions and the best possible sound is there to accompany you, whereas a second offering is there as well, a DVD that will monopolize your interest. The DVD includes the whole live show consisting of 14 compositions (the closing song of the album is a successful cover on "Rock Me Amadeus" with both Lutz and Mozart being ecstatic on the vocals!) and lasting somewhere around 74 minutes, a dialogue between Lutz (bassist/keyboardist) and Mozart (vocalist and main figure of Umbra Et Imago), an extended and utterly interesting history document of dialogues between people from the friendly environment of the band and videos from rare live shows from the early years of the band, videos even from the cabaret-oriented electro/dark wave act Electric Avantgarde (Mozart's previous band which existed from the 80s). The after-show party with the band signing autographs, gothic adorers dancing to the sounds of "Marian" (The Sisters Of Mercy) and "No Tears" (Tuxedo Moon) is another pleasing addition.

The question that may come to your mind is "how do Umbra Et Imago sound live nowadays"? And I'll give the easy answer, they sound definitely metal, the heavy distortions are overwhelming and have the power to lead you to endless rhythmic head-banging while Mozart, Lutz and their companions are on stage, doing the best they can to express their compositions in the most appropriate way and keep their stage pressence to the highest levels. What many gothic metal acts lack is what Umbra Et Imago own totally, the dark wave/gothic rock knowledge and the metal sound, the best combination for a gothic metal act. Another important part of the story is the fact that the older compositions of the band have "embraced" the heavy sound Umbra Et Imago have nowadays and they sound more modern and more powerful!

The keyboard melodies start echoing and the hearse slowly opens, Mozart arises like a new Count Dracula and starts singing (whether he sounds more aggressive or more operatic he definitely is stunning!), acting, going everywhere on stage and offering a great show through the whole duration of the live show! Another strong part of the show was the fact from time to time he was changing clothes, making the whole aesthetic presence more interesting (when he appears like a German coroner it's so goddamn funny and awesome at the same time!). He's what I call a real and pure at heart artist, always communicating with the audience and showing his appreciation for all the people being there to welcome the band and receiving back the warmth of the crowd. Lutz on the bass lines is an imposing figure and he never fails to show his awesome melodic and utterly expressive vocals lines when the moment comes for him to sing, whereas his brutal vocal lines make the whole atmosphere more powerful and aggressive whenever they are needed, an important person for the band as well! The guitarist sounds unerring, unleashing the fabulous riffs with passion (the moment when Mozart takes him on his shoulders while soloing is definitely awesome!), the drummer interprets his role really well and the beautiful female vocalist adds a more fragile sense in the sound of the band! The keyboards were pre-recorded as far as I noticed, but it's not a problem, not at all, when the time comes to see the whole concert as one. The S/M show is fabulous, both the female vocalist and the other girl (her cold stare while being in bondage is utterly expressive!) are really beautiful and interpret their roles in a pleasing to the eye way, without disturbing the audience, on the contrary!

This is the best offering from the band to their fans, a perfect-seeming release that won't disappoint both the fans of the band and the ones that want to taste and embrace the essence of Umbra Et Imago! Proceed blindly without any second thought, this has to be one of the best gothic metal/rock releases of 2006, even though it is a live album!