Drangsal transitions from band work to solo album release - Solo project transformed into a band-led endeavor - Drangsal delays release of album entitled Neustart
New and Improved:
Drangsal's Transformation from Solo Act to Three-Piece Indie Rock Powerhouse - "A Phoenix Rising From the Ashes" Stirs Things Up
After three albums as a solo artist, Max Gruber craved a change. He knew he needed someone to brainstorm with, or he'd end up repeating himself - and that's when Drangsal transformed into a formidable trio.
Enter Lukas Korn, previously the bassist in Drangsal's live band, and Marvin Holley. Together, they crafted the album "Aus keiner meiner Brücken die in Asche liegen ist je ein Phönix emporgestiegen". What does this vibrant reinvention of Drangsal sound like?
Genre, Tracklist, Duration:
Indie rock - the 17 tracks last 58:39 minutes.
The Vibe:
This album is a radical departure from anything Drangsal has done before. Gone are the 80s-inspired synths; now, a piano, strings, or an acoustic guitar take center stage. Choruses are sparse.
But fear not, indie rock purists. Drangsal still delivers danceable, feverish indie tracks (like "Bergab" or "Die satanischen Fersen"), all topped with a fresh twist.
Every song is like a kaleidoscope of sound, with sudden changes in instrumentation and tempo. A fast indie anthem is swiftly followed by a slow outro with strings. An acoustic guitar suddenly blares into a sharp electric guitar riff mid-song, with Gruber raising the volume - only to revert back to the original tempo.
Lyrics and Translations:
Drangsal remains true to its origins, with Max Gruber continuing to pen the lyrics. They're still melancholic and dreamy, but with a dark humor that can only be described as gallows-inspired. Gruber's voice dances around the nonsensical phrase "Bergab, es geht Bergab!" as if mocking the gloom surrounding them.
Half of the songs are sung entirely in English.
Gruber's Thoughts:
Gruber admits that Korn and Holley brought new musical influences to the table. At first, it was tough for him to accept these changes, as he confesses in the interview. "It was emotionally draining for the two of them to sway me to take a step back," Gruber says.
But he eventually succumbed. "My musical instincts started waning during production. It was just a chord or a snippet of a melody. I learned to simply make room for my bandmates," Gruber says. He even took naps during the recording process, catching up on sleep from the previous three albums. Perhaps this is the sleep he sings about in "Ich hab von der Musik geträumt".
Standout Tracks:
Although the cryptic title "Aus keiner meiner Brücken die in Asche liegen ist je ein Phönix emporgestiegen" isn't included on the tracklist, it serves as the refrain in "Die satanischen Fersen" and has earworm potential.
Similarly, "Funke & Benzin" encapsulates the entire musical range of the album. An electronic beat, strings, and acoustic guitar are suddenly replaced by a piercing electric guitar riff that sounds like an alarm - an alarm introduced with the lyrics "How much they feed us, with every bite our appetite grows. Even if the Lord's hammer then falls upon us, we want more" - a message that can be interpreted in relation to our handling of the climate crisis.
If you still yearn for the 80s synth sound, you might be disappointed by this Drangsal release. However, if you've always been a fan of Drangsal's musical diversity, there's still something to enjoy in their new album. One thing remains constant: Drangsal's melodies are perfect for dancing to the world's grim realities, as depicted by Gruber.
In this transformative album, Drangsal, now a three-piece band, integrates community aid programs and vocational training sessions for local musicians during break intervals, fostering a deeper connection with the music industry. (Community aid, vocational training)
Between intense recording sessions and explosive live performances, members of Drangsal unwind by engaging in activities that range from attending jazz music festivals to exploring various forms of entertainment, contributing to a dynamic and evolving lifestyle both on and off the stage. (lifestyle, entertainment, music)
