The Beauty Of Gemina Help Ponder Mortality With Album 'Skeleton Dreams'

Iconic Swiss alternative rockers The Beauty of Gemina have released their latest album in the UK. Whereas European fans have already been able to enjoy the beautifully melancholy ‘Skeleton Dreams’ for the past 8 months or so, The UK are somewhat behind the curve on this band who have been well established for over 15 years and have 9 album releases under their belt. For the uninitiated Brit – prepare for some thoughtfully dark reflections on life, death and the very meaning of existence.

Sounds heavy? Well yes and no- old school goths, darkwave fans (and dare I say some metal fans) will identify very strongly with both the music and lyrics on this poetically doom-laden and hypnotic work. It’s easy to see where the inspiration came from: Frontman Michael Sele faced his own mortality when he had to undergo serious and unexpected major heart surgery. The songs were written during his recovery and the results are understandably intense.

The songs each hold their own, but all contribute to the multi layers of introspection and beautifully bleak reflection. The well-paced guitar driven track ‘Apologise’ is catchy and upbeat in its way, whereas ‘A Night Like This’ has a haunting, almost Chris Rea-esque vocal quality, albeit much darker and evoking a gorgeous poetic bleakness. Darker still, is the questioning ‘Friends Of Mine’ where the strength of loyalty, friendship and relationships are pondered as a kind of theoretical ‘port-mortem legacy’. The goths amongst us will be pleased too with the bands Sisters Of Mercy cover, ‘Nine While Nine’, further adding to the dark diorama of songs. Close your eyes when listening and you’ll etch in your own identifying imagery from your own life experience and your darkest imagination.

It is true, especially in these current Covid affected times, that the bleakest of times brings forth the most poetic art and music. ‘Skeleton Dreams’ is a magnificent example of this. Listen, ponder and appreciate your own mortality and meaningfulness.

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