“So Schön” is German for “So Beautiful,” and this powerful album from Germany’s Hemesath proves -- as record label Echozone proclaims -- “that hard German rock music can do more than just beat and thrash.” Indeed, these songs (all sung in German by charismatic yet gruff vocalist Christopher Zumbült) are no Rammstein retreads. Beautifully muscular harmonies on “Die Stadt verbrennt” (“The City Is Burning”); fantastic riffing, demonic delivery and gang vocals on “Dies eine Leben” (“This One Life”); the sheer and epic heaviness of the title track and "Bleib bei mir" ("Stay With Me"); and the delicate piano and angelic female-vocal accompaniment on “Flieg” (“Fly”) showcase this band’s musical dexterity. Even if listeners are unable to understand the lyrics, Hemesath manages to infuse these nine songs with energy and emotion in equal doses -- which makes for a compelling, universal listen that’s worth hearing again.
Track Listing:
1. Heile Segen
2. Elysium
3. Die Stadt verbrennt
4. Tanz
5. Flieg
6. Schattenseele
7. Dies eine Leben
8. So Schön
9. Bleib bei mir