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THE REVIEW
The music played by the German band Zeraphine on this album from 2003, "Traumaworld," closely resembles what can be found in many other gothic rock band productions (also clones of other bands). The five Germans deliver thirteen tracks that follow patterns heard countless times before, yet lacking that extra quid to set them apart from the crowd: gothic rock that features now canonical characteristics, with tones sometimes dramatic, other times more melodic, always connected to melancholy and a certain underlying spleen.
The guitars intertwine in rather nice nighttime riffs, fulfilling their role without overdoing it, while the rhythm section often prominently features a bass that weaves robust and steady textures. The singer's voice is deep and sustained, reminiscent of the latest Lacrimas Profundere, but without the same edge.
The songs follow one another without major jolts, and the album slides over the skin without leaving a mark on the folds of the heart. Noteworthy tracks may include the first one, "Light Your Stars," a necessary introduction to Zeraphine’s sound (which will not deviate much from what is expressed in this track), "Falling Breath," a ballad that is finally intense and more emotionally felt, the cover of Depeche Mode's "In Your Room" (after all, not a completely failed experiment), and the title track, but little more.
Honestly, I find it a bit lacking. I don’t know, maybe over time I’ve become more demanding, or perhaps I haven't fully grasped this album and the band's ideology. However, the fact is that the album fails to communicate anything special to me. Perhaps there’s nothing more to say, and this genre of music has already fired all its shots... It might be, but then one wonders how, on the same themes, a band like their aforementioned compatriots, Lacrimas Profundere (to take the band that reminded me of them the most, but there are others), has been able to produce excellent albums of undoubtedly greater quality and emotional presence. Adequate, but there's much better out there.
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Summary by Bot
Zeraphine's 2003 album Traumaworld offers familiar gothic rock sounds with steady instrumentation and melancholy tones. While some tracks stand out, the album overall lacks originality and emotional depth. The music is competent but does not distinguish itself from many other bands in the genre. The review notes a more impactful output from contemporaries like Lacrimas Profundere.Tracklist Lyrics Videos
Zeraphine
Zeraphine is a German gothic rock / darkwave band noted for synth-influenced melodies and a vocal style with clear Depeche Mode echoes; the singer previously founded the band Dreadful Shadows (active 1993–2000).02 Reviews
Other reviews
By TheDevil
From the title alone, you can understand what they intend to communicate, an "obscure" or rather dark or gothic album, but melodies are not lacking.
It remains a good album to listen to. Recommended for lovers of gothic, darkwave, synthpop and derivatives.
