History
In 1991, Umbra et Imago were created as a side-project of The Electric Avantgarde. In the following year, the two bands were still existing alongside. There were plans for The Electric Avantgarde to change its style to death metal, but those were soon dropped.[1] The band dissolved and was later reformed as Dracul so that Umbra et Imago became Mozart's main project.
In 1992 Umbra et Imago played their first stage shows, where visual effects played an important role. While the band's style was still dominated by electronic influences, there were frequent appearances of guest musicians such as Peter Heppner of Wolfsheim. The band began to develop an eccentric image and they were known for their fancy concerts . Umbra et Imago polarized critics and were even publicly criticized.[citation needed] In the same year, their album Träume, Sex und Tod was published, one year later Infantile Spiele was released.
As their album tracks often exceeded lengths of 10 minutes, they were unsuited for play in discothèques and were not included to DJs' programs. Because of that, Umbra et Imago created a remix of their song "Erotica" which they called ZöllerMussEsSpielen Mix (Zöller Must Play It Mix), referring to Michael Zöller, a resident DJ of Bochum's Zwischenfall discothèque. Despite its length, "Gothic Erotic" from the 1993 album Infantile Spiele remained the band's best known song.
In 1995, Michael Gillian and Torsten B. left the band, followed by Nail soon after. They were replaced by Lutz Demmler und Alex Perin. With the change in the line-up came a change in style. The music shifted towards guitar sounds and was expanded by hard rock elements on the album Gedanken eines Vampirs. This change was completed in 1996 with the album Mystica Sexualis, which was now gothic metal.[2] During live shows, the band would have fetish models on stage, founding their current stage concept. The 1997 maxi single Kein Gott und keine Liebe saw an increase in Neue Deutsche Härte elements and Umbra et Imago were compared to bands such as Rammstein.[3]
In 2003, guitarist Freddy Stürze left the band but joined them in 2011 again.
According to their official website, Opus Magnus, published in 2010, was Umbra and Imago's final studio album while a new DVD with live material and old songs will be released in 2011.
Work and appearance
Stage show at the Wave-Gotik-Treffen in 2014
From the beginning, Umbra et Imago have been a concept band picking up Sigmund Freud's idea that sexuality was the center of our being. They processed sadomasochistic fantasies through their cynical lyrics. According to the band, this theme was chosen because it represents the most intellectual form of sexuality.
The lyrics by Umbra et Imago are dominated by a warped, subliminal humour, criticism of human society's flaws[5] and cynical self-irony. The clichés dealt with thereby and their exaggerated depictions polarize the meaning of the band. Sexuality is major component of the concept but is no longer dominating.[4]
Their stage shows are still infamous, incorporating BDSM acts and complex pyrotechnics into their live shows.[6]
Lutz Demler has eventually become the producer of Umbra et Imago and other bands.
Is This Love
Umbra Et Imago Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
I wanna love you every day and every night
We'll be together with a roof right over our heads
We'll share the shelter of my single bed
We'll share the same room for Jah provide the bread
Is this love - is this love - is this love
Is this love that I'm feelin'?
I got to know - got to know - got to know now
I'm willing and able
So I throw my cards on your table
The Umbra Et Imago song Is This Love is a cover of Bob Marley's classic track. The lyrics depict a man who is deeply in love with his partner and wants to treat her right. He expresses his love through wanting to be with her every day and every night, and ensure that they have a roof over their heads and share the same room. He acknowledges that Jah is the provider of their food and shelter, and he is willing and able to give himself fully to their relationship. The repetition of the line "Is this love that I'm feelin'?" suggests that he is questioning the intensity of his feelings and whether they are reciprocated.
The song Is This Love has been covered by many artists in various genres, including Rihanna, Corinne Bailey Rae, and Jason Mraz. It was originally released by Bob Marley in 1978 and is considered one of his most popular songs. The song was recorded during a difficult time for Marley, as Jamaica was in a state of political turmoil and he was recovering from an assassination attempt. Despite this, Marley's music continued to bring people together and promote positivity and love.
Line by Line Meaning
I wanna love you and treat you right
I desire to offer you my love and treat you with respect and honor
I wanna love you every day and every night
I wish to love and cherish you consistently both day and night
We'll be together with a roof right over our heads
We will be united with a home and shelter to call our own
We'll share the shelter of my single bed
We will sleep together in the same bed, protected and comforted
We'll share the same room for Jah provide the bread
We will reside in the same living space, and God will provide for us financially
Is this love - is this love - is this love
Am I truly experiencing love?
Is this love that I'm feelin'?
Do I genuinely have feelings of love?
I wanna know - wanna know - wanna know now
I need to understand immediately
I got to know - got to know - got to know now
I must comprehend the truth at this moment
I'm willing and able
I am ready and capable
So I throw my cards on your table
I am openly revealing my feelings and intentions toward you
Contributed by Gabriel C. Suggest a correction in the comments below.