In this new constellation created a total of 14 songs, which are reflected on the double CD of the limited edition of "DOM". As always, the Witt brand is not only the music on the go at the highest level, even the presentation is top notch: in addition to all the texts, there are stylish images of the artist, a comprehensive Legal and quality cover artwork by Ronald Reinsberg. Such a detailed package one is not accustomed to these problems of the often quite loveless Sony.
In addition, the new record company produced a very elaborate and artistic music video for the first single "Gloria", which initiates the album. For Joachim Witt, this title is for his greatest hits "The Golden Rider" (1982) and "The Flood" (1998) is the most important, because most personal of his career. In fact, the number is a wistful ode to lost love in bombastic electro-robe and with a strong string support. Lyrically this is not far from the "series of works Bayreuth" with its rumbling, depressive-pessimistic feeling descriptions. And musically it's still bombastic and emotionally, but the cutting guitars and the baroque reminiscences missing completely. This gives the music a different, not quite as gloomy character. The video for the song still raises controversy. The Bundeswehr feels apparently stepped on the toes by the presentation of the soldiers. Plenty of silly when you step the Meinungsfreheit underfoot.
"Gloria" is certainly an impressive composition. At first listen, but she has a little disappointed me. I do not know exactly what I miss it, but it does not break me completely. The chart entry at position 84 shows, however, that there appears to be a market for it. OK then.
"Now go," however, is amazing. What a sensational piece! Driven by pumping bass drum and energetic drums a real hit developed. The chorus immediately grabs the keyboard prances lightly, anywhere spray the colorful sparks and you just feel good. Lyrically it could be an anthem for all football stars in the world, which are on the verge of making history. This song symbolizes exactly what Witt does best: emotion. It spreads out a vast tapestry of sound, in which you can let yourself go smoothly. The fact that, in principle, is a classical pop-arrangements, it does not matter. That's just music with depth. Who is not on emotions, should in any case be of Witt fingers.
This also applies to the sad ballad "Tears". Accompanied by acoustic guitar and strings to Witt weighs in pain. First, the number plätschtert something to himself, the more you hear it but, the stronger it is. Would also fit well to the series of works Bayreuth.
"Blood" is the only song on the Witts years of background singer Nadja-Marie Saeger is heard. The Strofen are kept interesting and varied, but the chorus sounds then something tough and lengthy. It is not the strongest point of the CD.
"Kingdom", however, is able to captivate immediately. Despite the annoying clapping electric snare like the broken voice and especially the massive chorus. Now contrast to currently fat guitars and you're to be back in the years 1998-2006. The line "We are all more than just a face in the data storm" stands out particularly. Stark.
The piano accompaniment "quake" is quite moving despite Seiners pop choruses. Witt can again feel strongly about and it shows that it is not in this field in Germany ahead. So heartbreaking emotional music only he can.
The next two numbers are the strongest of the plate for me. First, there's "courage of a warrior." The clapping Electric Snare is indeed back, but that straighte Arrangement and especially the dynamic chorus produce goosebumps. Reminiscent of anthemic exploits as "Warriors of Light" or "Valiant".
My very big favorite but is "light in the ocean". What a sensational chorus. That's Witt as I love him: sad, deep voice and dramatic sound robe. On this title, I can not get enough of hearing me, it tears from the very first moment with. Very, very big sense Art! This is Joachim's personal "Grosse Freiheit". Reminds in intensity to "About the Ocean" from "Bayreuth 2" (2000). Simply amazing.
"Never come back" then moves suspiciously close to the border to kitsch, but just get the curve. It almost would Witt exaggerated his feeling storm. But only almost. Goes perfectly fine, but is mainly what particularly gefühlige hours.
"Recklessness" is initially exciting in tango rhythm, therefore, then passes but finally the kitsch-limit in the chorus. Not only does he scenically does not match the rest of the title. He is also much too cluttered and inflated. Sounds almost like the one on one copy of the bad Kitsch bolt "Deep in the depths" of "Bayreuth 3" (2006). This is simply a failure that should not have been.
The Abschlusstück "sinking" will probably give the melancholy bouncer, but quite annoying. This is especially due to the exaggerated way Michelle Leonard sings the female voice in the chorus. Unfortunately, even a failure.
In the regular version, the album is here to end. The Limited Edition offers on a second CD, additional tracks. The prelude "DOM", a two and a half-minute dramatic anthem. Designed really strong and interesting there, the title track, which has not found its way onto the first page.
The same goes for "girls", the bonus track of "Gloria" single. It is precisely this title one of the strongest new compositions. Could be right out of a Bayreuth albums, only that just the guitars missing. It is really everything and could have thus replace one of the two last Kitsch clumps of page 1.
The deeply sad piano ballad "Rose-Marie" sounds as if it entstamme directly from Schubert's setting of the song cycle "Winterreise". Precisely because of the reduced instrumentation a compelling, different type of piece.
"Shut the F *** up" then sets the counterpart with its thumping electro beats and the "innkeeper" staccato rhythm. Witt exerts powerful social criticism and skin again on the poop. A bit embarrassed, but still kind of fun.
Also found on the second CD nor the unpublished English version of "Golden Horseman" and "hundreds of bodies" from "Bayreuth 3", "That's deep" from "Bayreuth 1", and the radio mix of "Gloria". If everything does not necessarily have to be, because you as a fan has the title already and there is no specific reason why Neuhörer would just get to know these numbers. Somehow you had to fill in the bonus section yes.
Would be the second page with its three immensely powerful numbers do not, "DOM" would leave a fairly zwiegespaltenen impression. On the one hand there is outstanding, on the other hand also quite average and even weak material. The sound, however, is kept pleasantly modern and can compete with other recent productions of our time. That's definitely a plus. In addition, Joachim Witt has drained political statements of the last very (left) (with one exception), which is also enjoyable. Furthermore, one has to keep him good, that he has not reproduced his old pattern, but embarked on a new path. However, the complete abandonment of the heavy guitars is a little too vigorously. In some places they had the songs that little bit can add Power.
Ultimately outweighs the joy of a new album Witt one or the other weak point. At last he is back and with a good, but not outstanding work. If there were 3.5 stars - this disc she deserved. Witt creates the long-awaited comeback with great fanfare, the panel goes to number 8 in the German charts. And rightly so, because such an intelligent and eloquent artists like Joachim Witt does the German pop scene very one-dimensional, very good.
