Umbra et Imago (lt.: "Shadow and Image") is a German gothic metal and Neue … Read Full Bio ↴Umbra et Imago (lt.: "Shadow and Image") is a German gothic metal and Neue Deutsche Härte band formed in autumn 1991. The original lineup consisted of singer Mozart (Manuel Munz), Michael Gillian, Nail and Torsten B. Except for Mozart all other founding members left the band, but he is still influential to the music of Umbra and Imago.

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.

Sweet Gwendoline
Umbra Et Imago Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

Geknebelt und fest gebunden
Liegst du hier schon seit Stunden
Das Dunkel lässt dich erblinden
Du fühlst die Hoffnung schwinden
Und du weißt du bist verloren
Denn der Meister (Herr, Herr) hat dich auserkoren

Mit dem schicksal abgefunden

Dreh'n Gedanken ihre Runden
Lust und Schmerz macht dich benommen
Phantasien, wie noch nie ersonnen
Und du weißt, du bist verloren
Denn der Meister (Herr, Herr) hat dich auserkoren

Scham lässt dich erröten
Der Trieb wird die Würde töten
Keine Zeit mehr zum entrinnen
Keine Kraft dich zu besinnen
Und du weißt du bist verloren

Gwendoline, du bist auserkoren
Tonight, Sweet Gwendoline
Do it well and do it fine
Tonight, Sweet Gwendoline
Do it well and do it fine
Tonight, Sweet Gwendoline
Do it well and do it fine

Du gibst nach, du lässt dich fallen
Du, die schönste Frau von allen
Das Spiel wird dich nicht schonen
Doch die Nacht wird dich belohnen
Du bist erwählt, du bist verloren
Gwendoline, du bist auserkoren

Tonight, Sweet Gwendoline
Do it well and do it fine
Tonight, Sweet Gwendoline
Do it well and do it fine
Tonight, Sweet Gwendoline
Do it well and do it fine

Tonight, Sweet Gwendoline
Tonight, Sweet Gwendoline

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of Umbra Et Imago's song "Sweet Gwendoline" describe a woman who is bound and gagged, feeling hopeless and resigned to her fate as the chosen one of her master. The darkness surrounding her makes her feel blind and the longer she stays in the situation, the more her hope fades. She is consumed by lust and pain, and her mind becomes filled with unprecedented fantasies. The shame she feels makes her blush, and her desires overcome her dignity. She is left with no time to think or escape, and she knows she is lost forever. Despite her struggles, Gwendoline gives in and lets herself fall. She becomes the chosen one and the night will be rewarding to her.

Line by Line Meaning

Geknebelt und fest gebunden
Helpless and securely bound

Liegst du hier schon seit Stunden
You've been lying here for hours

Das Dunkel lässt dich erblinden
The darkness blinds you

Du fühlst die Hoffnung schwinden
You feel your hope fading away

Und du weißt du bist verloren
And you know you're lost

Denn der Meister (Herr, Herr) hat dich auserkoren
For the master has chosen you

Mit dem schicksal abgefunden
Resigned to your fate

Dreh'n Gedanken ihre Runden
Thoughts spinning round

Lust und Schmerz macht dich benommen
Pleasure and pain leave you dizzy

Phantasien, wie noch nie ersonnen
Fantasies never before imagined

Scham lässt dich erröten
Shame makes you blush