In Strict Confidence

“Exile Paradise”
Label: Metropolis Records
Official Website

In Strict Confidence follow up ‘Holy’ with ‘Exile Paradise’, a beautiful combination of symphonic harmonies, great use of synthesizer, strong rhythms, the occasional light use of guitar and of course dazzling vocal sparring between male vocalist Dennis Ostermann and female vocalist Antje Schulz. The outcome is some well produced, extremely deep and dark work, which craves for a second listening. Aside from the brilliant 12 tracks on the main CD, the bonus disk contains three tracks; ‘Samael’, ‘A Single Touch’ and ‘Blind Spot’.

‘Promised Land’ is a fast paced darkwave track with lush orchestras and rythmic squidgey synths, and with Antje singing the chorus beautifully, and Dennis contrasting on vocals, this track definitely has dancefloor bite.

Dennis really shows his vocal and musical talent on ‘Forbidden Fruit’, a slower paced track with some sinister ambience. This track blatantly has an erotic feeling, and tingling synths, a deep bass working well with the slow beat, and combined with a rising melody create a brilliant choice for a single. The orchestral crescendo towards the end is breathtaking.

Instrumental track ‘In Favilla’, is an beautiful track. Progressing from choirs and dark ambience, this track progresses into an eight minute masterpiece, complete with a growly bassline, churning guitars and a very strong beat that drives the track forward.

This album was definitely worth the wait, and it is impossible to nitpick on this flawless album. The bonus CD also has some strong material, from the first track to the closing; ‘A Single Touch’, which is very electro-pop with Antje on vocals, this is an unmissable release!

-Nads

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