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L'Âme Immortelle - Momente (2012) - Review

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Band: L'Âme Immortelle
Album: Momente
Release date: 27 January 2012
Label: Trisol Music Group

Tracklisting:
01. L’Étang Mâlo
02. No Goodbye
03. Absolution
04. Wie Tränen im Regen
05. Empty
06. Demon Be Gone
07. The Heart
08. Banish
09. Why Can't I Make You Feel
10. Dort draussen
11. Hold Me

   I think that there is no need to make any introduction who they are and what they are, because I believe that everybody who ever listened to goth, darkwave, etc. music knows this Austrian duo very well. We have been waiting for their ninth studio album for four years and finally here it is. Sonja Kraushofer and Thomas Rainer have made "the best of album", but not with old songs, actually with the best musical moments they ever offered in their 16 years of activity. O.K. somebody could think that this album is only a copy of their previous albums, but it's not like that as they enriched in a great way all that what we ever loved about them. This is an intimate work, full of emotions and even some harder moments which complete this sonic journey. I can say that it's also the most commercial work and easy listening, but I have no problem with that, because once you get driven away by those songs it really doesn't matter. Sonja with her distinguishable fragile and at the same time strong vocals got a major vocal part this time. Rainer it's also a good surprise (I wasn't such a big fan of his singing in the past).
    Momente opens with a dark intro named "L'Etang Malo" which is a 19th century French poem by Théodore de Banville responsible also for the bands name back when they started. Nice homage! Sonja shows his talents in a melancholic ballad "No Goodbye" accompanied with some fragile strings, then again in most atmospheric track up here, another ballad "Wie Tranen Im Regen" where a nice piano is giving a lot of depth  to it. "Empty" also sung by her is an amazing piece with a nice calm start and a gothic metal continuation, with great heavy guitars blended with piano. This track has a lot to do with hers side band Coma Divine. In "The Heart" we could sense also some Madonna ("Frozen", "Rain",..) kind of vocal interpretation. Electronic danceable pop moments are also present here. Haunting "Absolution" sangt by Thomas will appeal to fans of VNV Nation or Unheilig. Then "Demon Be Gone" and "Banish" will bring a smile on a face to those who liked their 90's era duets combining "beauty and the beast" vocal style with hard atmospheric electronics beats, dancefloor hits. Thomas with his black metal kind of vocals here shows that he still remember his metal past and that the demons of that times are still alive. Heavy guitars mixed with synths and harsh electronics show it's power in "Dort Draussen". Album closes nicely with fragile and calm, another ballad "Hold Me". There is no bad moment on this album. Lyrics are not a highlight, mostly dark romantic verses, anyway go well together with music.
    L'Ame Immortelle showed the most mature, most emotional and deep side in their career. Although we had  some better tracks done by them here and there in the past, Momente offers an unit of great tunes in one album. The production is great, so you can fully enjoy this masterpiece over and over again. A must for all those who like good dark melancholic gothic music, but also like to move their bodies in some dark clubs.

Review written by: T.V.
Rating: 8,5/10