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Rating: There is a character in the Gothic world, who has never been given the right consideration, at least in Italy, I am talking about Adrian Hates. He is the mind behind one of the most fundamental groups of the gothic scene, namely Diary Of Dreams. In the 90s, they were capable of producing true masterpieces like "End Of Flowers" and "Bird Without Wings," albums where the concept of melancholic music is perfectly expressed, with atmospheres sometimes dreamlike and other times anguishing providing the soundtrack to introspective lyrics, using a language that we can surely define as cryptic, where Adrian Hates narrates his torments with extreme elegance.
We are in 2000, it's the year of change, a change that doesn't affect the core concept of the Diary Of Dreams project, as they always remain anchored to an extremely decadent music concept, but where significant changes are nevertheless recorded. We are talking about an album called "One of 18 Angels," the album I consider the highest point of DOD's career, but strictly from the point of view of the emotions it gives me. Later, Adrian Hates will release other beautiful works, one of which is surely the splendid "Nigredo."
This time Adrian Hates makes extensive use of electronics, without diminishing the core of his music, but rather this change allows DOD to expand its range of action, intended as the ability to create the magnificent atmospheres they are capable of, from multiple points of view. In a sense, the atmosphere of this work is more apocalyptic, and even the lyrics confirm this hypothesis of mine, the text of "Mankind" is a perfect example.
The first song that welcomes the listener is "Rumors About Angels," in this track the new influences of DOD's music are just hinted at, as if the album did not want to reveal all its cards. The song has quite a long duration (over eight minutes) where Adrian Hates’ deep voice makes its way through a very slow rhythm, and the atmosphere created is undoubtedly epic and apocalyptic. It is followed by the piece "Butterfly Dance!", perhaps the most famous piece by DOD, a song where the concept of electro-goth is expressed at its highest power. No one, and I mean no one, has ever succeeded in doing better. " Mankind" perhaps is the most beautiful piece ever written by Diary Of Dreams, with the bass drum marking quite a sustained tempo, and horrific keyboards serving as the backdrop to Adrian's voice, who sings in an almost recitative way, which reminded me a bit of the style of the Sopor Aeternus project. And what about "Babylon," a kaleidoscope that encapsulates all the characteristics of DOD's style, lasting over 8 minutes. "Chemicals" is another perfect track where the new electronic influences are used exemplarily.
"One Of 18 Angels" is a perfect album, where the emotional intensity produced by listening to the tracks is extremely high. As far as I'm concerned, I have experienced the same emotions only by listening to the masterpieces of "Katatonia" and "My Dying Bride." It is worth mentioning the lyrical concept behind the CD, where Adrian Hates analyzes his personal universe, comparing it to a possible dialogue with a superior being.
If there's nothing to believe in...
Tracklist Lyrics and Videos
06 Chemicals (05:53)
Lost in words of anticipation
Lost in worlds of revelations
23 and 5 resulting
Equally absorbed their sigh
And I need my chemicals
I need your chemicals
Are my dreams gone?
Are my words forgiven?
Are my deeds undone?
Am I now forgiven?
The walls of this chamber
Were made to set you free
So soft, so clean
My friend, where have you been?
I'm a revolutionary
A christian fairy tale
I'm a missionary
A visionary anarchist
I'm a full moon fever
I'm a non-believer
I have hope and I regret
I accept and I neglect
07 Babylon (08:13)
It's kind of strange how
You put the blame away from you
I understand now
We were in danger of ourselves
What is our flesh for
If not to feel our mortal shell?
What is our soul for
If not to know we never die?
(Babylon)
I try to face now
What I did never understand
What are these words you speak?
Why are they all unkown to me?
Welcome to Babylon
The traitors' homes of nower days
Come feel my terror
Or watch the anger rise in me
You'd like to faint now
To fall asleep into my arms
Where is your fate now
The one you spoke of in my arms
What was this war for
If it is you who wins at last?
What is your word for
If it is us who break the laws?
Detest my vices
Watch the signs I've given you
I speak of silence
And fear the sound of human kind
08 Colorblind (05:21)
Would you care for color if you were blind?
Would you listen to my words if you could only see my lips move?
You search the faces for a smile, but you can't see them with your eyes
Come to me,
Feel with me,
See with me,
This world has changed.....
The world has now forgotten you, for you have done that first
Would you rather listen to the wind?
Would you rather search the stars for signs?
For it is us you live with, and we have never ever closed our eyes
What do I need your comfort for?
If there is no place to live..
Your angel cheeks are stained with blood
Your hand evoking fear in me..
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