Sopor Aeternus - Have You Seen This Ghost

Sopor Aeternus is back with 'Have You Seen This Ghost', her 12th album. In iTunes it is listed simply under the artist name "Sopor Aeternus", where previous albums have been listed under the artist name of "Sopor Aeternus and The Ensemble of Shadows". By now, fans will know who Sopor Aeternus is just by the shorter artist name. The last album was released in 2007, so after 4 years, the Sopor Aeternus fans can finally get their fill of great music once again.

The album's title, 'Have You Seen This Ghost', is very appropriate for this album, as it delves into the Gothic, Horror and Fantasy types of genres, and would be an excellent soundtrack for any Halloween or Gothic event. Every song is filled with cinematic gems with wonderfully unique vocals intertwined, like a vine creeping over a Gothic style house.

The album is filled with Sopor's unique blend of harpsichord and symphonic music blended with whimsical and somewhat operatic vocals. If you are looking for something that this album sounds like, listen to Tim Burton's "The Nightmare Before Christmas" soundtrack. This album fits that style perfectly. Most of the songs are similar in style, but a few stand out in the album. "Sleep" has more of a club friendly style, similar to Switchblade Symphony's "Clown". "At The Stroke Of Midnight Gently", has a soft marching beat and is perfect for chiming in midnight. "Powder", has the same kind of marching beats, but adds a bit of Greek sounds in the middle of it, with a mandolin plucking away a Greek styled melody.

"Angel Of The Golden Fountain", is sung in German, and gives the music and vocals even more allure and intrigue. Combined with the unique vocals, I felt as if I was taken to a Gothic venue in Germany and was watching a bygone era of Gothic German Cabaret. Listening to this song, you could easily imagine a smoky room filled with people from very unique corners of the city, all coming to hear her sing her haunting melodies and putting on the most unique show in town.

The most unique song on the album is the twelfth song, which is a cover version of "Holding Out For A Hero", from the "Footloose" movie soundtrack. This version is like nothing you have ever heard before. It gives the lyrics a new meaning, and even touches on the vampire and occult genres with its slow style and haunting vocals. Fans of the movie "Footloose" should definitely have a smile on their faces when hearing this totally unique version. I felt like the vocals were delivered similar to Tim Curry singing a "Rocky Horror Picture Show" song. The song blends cabaret, dark, orchestral and Gothic styles throughout. The entire album is special, but this cover version will be stuck in my head for days.

This new album will please fans of Sopor Aeternus, as she hasn't changed her style, but simply took it to the next level of uniqueness. All you have to do is simply search for images of her and you will immediately get a feel for what her music is like. I have never come across another artist who is as unique musically and visually as Sopor Aeternus. Mar 13 2012