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.
Never
Umbra Et Imago Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Now I try to keep all clear
You're died in your best years
I don`t try to grieve and shed wild tears
I`ll never forget you name
I try to live on and do all the things same
I don`t feel my loneliness on empty days
But I fill each waking hour in useful ways
I`ll never forget your smile
I always hold you in my near
I try to comfort and cheer
You`ll ever be in our hearts
And souls you`ll never be alone
though I hear you cry
I`ll never be afraid to die
I`ll try to exist again
And try to return the pain
Never, never
The lyrics of Umbra Et Imago's song "Never" are about the process of grieving and coming to terms with loss. The singer reflects on a loved one who has passed away, recognizing that they died too young but refusing to wallow in grief. Instead, he tries to honor their memory by living his own life to the fullest and filling his days with purpose. He acknowledges that he can still hear the loved one crying and that death is frightening, but he resolves to keep going and try to make sense of the pain.
The lyrics touch on the universal experience of grief and the difficult process of acceptance. The singer's refusal to waste time and his determination to keep moving forward can be seen as a message of hope. Though the loved one may be gone, they will always be in his heart and soul.
Line by Line Meaning
A day made me see all real
After a certain uncertain event I was awakened to the reality.
Now I try to keep all clear
As an aftermath of the event, I try to maintain a clear perspective on things.
You're died in your best years
You left us when you still had so much life ahead of you.
I don`t try to grieve and shed wild tears
I don't waste my time on public displays of grief.
I`ll never forget you name
I'll always remember who you were and what you meant to me.
I try to live on and do all the things same
I try to keep doing what we used to do together.
I don`t feel my loneliness on empty days
I don't feel my own loneliness on days when I am occupied.
But I fill each waking hour in useful ways
But I try to stay busy with meaningful activities.
I`ll never waste my time
I'll never let myself waste time on things that don't matter.
I`ll never forget your smile
I'll always remember the way you looked when you were happy.
I always hold you in my near
I always keep you close to my heart and mind.
I try to comfort and cheer
I try to make others feel better when they're sad.
You`ll ever be in our hearts
You'll always be remembered and loved by those who knew you.
And souls you`ll never be alone
And even in death, you won't be alone because you'll always be a part of something greater.
though I hear you cry
Even though I know that you were sad at times.
I`ll never be afraid to die
I'll never be afraid of death like some people are.
I`ll try to exist again
I'll try to keep moving forward and living my life.
And try to return the pain
And try to help others who are going through what I went through.
Never, never
No matter what happens, I'll always remember and stay true to these promises.
Lyrics © DistroKid, BMG Rights Management, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: CHRIS WHITLEY
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Anathar
Change your Mind. Change your Religion ..... Ohrwurm der Woche !
Am Anfang war ich ehrlich gesagt etwas Skeptisch aber nach zwei mal anhören ( einmal mit und einmal ohne Video) muss ich echt sagen das ich Positiv überrascht bin .
Gothic mit Reggae und etwas Jazz wie mir scheint zu Mixen ist euch enorm Gelungen.
Der Text ist ebenfalls sehr sehr stark.
Und der Sound echt super.
Und ich findes ebenfalls cool Mozart an der Gitarre zusehen !
Danke und weiter so ! 😘 🖤🦇
Umbra et Imago
Thanks for all comments.....we are smiling and we enjoy this very much..nice to see all the umbra et imago lovers...around this world...your mozart and band
Mr C
Keep rockin’ dudes - we luv ya!
Ivan SM
This band is so underrated, maybe at the beginning it was too hardcore to be comercial, but the music is just top lvl in the industry and the fact that you can evolve your music, you can make a lot of different sounds, and they sound great, thats why Umbra is one of my favourites, i am grateful that my fathers friend brought me into Umbra, and i am glad that you still making insane music, keep it up.
Arcturus FAVN
Ваша музыка греет мне сердце, я рад, что мне посчастливилось побывать на вашем концерте. Продолжайте, творите музыку, вы прекрасны!
VIGILATA NOX
Более 10 лет вы приятно шумите в моем сердце)
Anathar
Change your Mind. Change your Religion ..... Ohrwurm der Woche !
Am Anfang war ich ehrlich gesagt etwas Skeptisch aber nach zwei mal anhören ( einmal mit und einmal ohne Video) muss ich echt sagen das ich Positiv überrascht bin .
Gothic mit Reggae und etwas Jazz wie mir scheint zu Mixen ist euch enorm Gelungen.
Der Text ist ebenfalls sehr sehr stark.
Und der Sound echt super.
Und ich findes ebenfalls cool Mozart an der Gitarre zusehen !
Danke und weiter so ! 😘 🖤🦇
MeisterFindig
ging mir ähnlich :) Aber das zeigt mir immer wieder, warum ich DIESE Band sooo geil finde :))
Lazarus Villagomez
I don’t know that much German but I’ve been listening to you guys for years now. It’s good to see y’all come back. Wish I could see them live one day.
salamigeist
Als ich hörte das neue Album oder der Song geht in ne Reggae Richtung, dacht ich "Oh Gott, wie soll denn das gehen?" Hab mir den Song jetzt ein paar Mal angehört und finde ihn echt geil. Mal was anderes und die Message trifft genau ins Schwarze! Macht weiter so ihr Badenser und lasst euch nicht unterkriegen von der Außenwelt.
spallutography
Mega Sound. Da habt ihr ein neues Kapitel gestartet. Bitte mehr davon! 👍