Gloomy presence

Surely, this album is all bleak.
From its predecessors, yet rather differently predisposed - "Houses of the Holy" had failed downright optimistic, "Physical Graffiti" mixed in the mood - is here in front of a work that presents itself as a group bleak commitment pursued by demons.

Demons that had itself created. Decades of alcohol and drug antics had left their mark. Robert Plant, sex addict and other stimulants not averse; Jimmy Page, an alcoholic and heroin severely tilted; John Bonham, which the excess of his life could miss an overflowing Rubens figure. Only John Paul Jones had preserved human scale.

From such megalomania bursting also has always been the music of Led Zeppelin: compromises you had never been satisfied, either total victory (about IV) or Total Crash (In Through the Out Door).

Accordingly: The two predecessors rather devoted to the confidence and ease, the bipolar pendulum swings here clearly in favor of the Depression from:
Cumbersome, sinister, almost (the mood for) metal music reaches the ear of the listener.

"Achilles Last Stand" first must be the absolute masterpiece in the oeuvre of the band; similar to "The Song Remains The Same" at first massively used to, this Greek saga drilled gradually make their way into the brain and establishes itself there permanently. Guitar cascades, impenetrable and incomprehensible. In philosophizing a Plant, unassailable as Archangel Gabriel. And, it is possible to obtain the voltage for a dozen minutes erect.
"For Your Life", The Beatles on the rocks. Stale, cool and disillusioned himself designed this masterpiece.
"Royal Orleans" on the other hand almost spread happiness, would not those aloofness prevalent that characterizes this album - the "objective" observer, as Plant which this song "recites" precisely just reported. Skillfully.
It follows "Nobody's Fault But Mine" and thus another classic of the band's history. The title says it all; Pure fatalism. Plagued by fate yes rushed literally, it ends with the life. What remains an otherwise desired.
"Candy Store Rock" rather does not stick precisely this also applies to "Hots On For Nowhere".
But what follows is unique. "Tea For One", a being cooled, disappointed and broken version of "Since I've been lovin 'you" is offered by an audible, palpable yes aged band, which looks back on her life lucky. Page bluest as before. The best guitar parts since the fourth album.

Overall: A plate for adults in their dark hour. Able to lead in fatalistic phases - but also to overcome such. Music as therapy.