Reviews of "Weltanschauung".

[Picture of the CD front cover]

A number of reviews of "Weltanschauung" are reproduced below.

The Sentimentalist, Issue VI.

"Four years after their debut, this Sheffield trio offers us their long-awaited follow-up release Weltanschauung (or "world view", for non-German speakers). The album encapsulates Libitina's perception of the world through strident songs of disillusionment, bitter hope, and betrayal. The 12 tracks lead the listener through a range of emotions, from languorous torment and self-deprecation, to gentle themes of quiet resignation, to outbursts of violent anger and frustration. All of this is passionately played out, both musically and lyrically. Each track asserts a truth that is somehow betrayed by the failings of human weakness, the inability to overcome moral degeneration, and the powerlessness to affect change. Religious allusions abound, reminiscent of early Christian Death ("Betrayal"), while some of the songs have a harder, synth-driven, dance-floor edge, and yet others hearken back to an eighties nostalgia, a la Alien Sex Fiend (as in the "Polemic" intro). Lilting melodies suddenly break down into rough, jarring accusations ("Samskara") as we hear the story of betrayal unfold--it is the ultimate Judas kiss. Libitina's skillful dynamic modulations and perfect rhythmic control are their strong points, and their ability to effortlessly shift from electronic breakbeat to melodic intricacy ("Via Dolorosa") demonstrates a significant development towards an increasingly complex sound. Emotionally powerful and stirring, this CD proves that Libitina will go far."

Review by Maria Antigone Doiranlis.

ADDRESS: The Sentimentalist, P.O. Box 174, Murray Hill Station, New York, NY 10156, USA.

Side-Line Magazine, Issue No. 37.

"... I'm totally convinced that heavy gothic lovers will embrace the rite of Libitina!"

ADDRESS: Editor Séba Dolimont, 90 Rue Charles Degroux, 1040 Bruxelles, Belgium.

Ascension, Number 7, Summer 2001.

"Four years ago, with the "A Closer Communion" album, the Sheffield band declared themselves as one of the few English Gothic bands able to produce something original and different: refreshing songs, new melodic tunes, dance hits with a good quantity of originality. Now, with "Weltanschauung", Libitina show themselves to have been able totally to reconstruct their sound into something even more original. Through a mix of various musical experiences the band has found a personal sound, aggressive and direct, that will certainly distinguish Libitina from a lot of other bands. Schizophrenic gothic rhythms and electronic beats walk hand-in-hand into something completely new, something easy to listen to but difficult to create (take for example "Dreams No More", "Virgins", "Samskara"). The synthesisers are very aggressive, it's true, but it is not the case to talk about EBM, industrial, or electro-goth... as it's not the case to describe their sound as "usual goth" just for the melodic tunes of the guitars. The new sound of Libitina will find the peace of gothic-rockers and electronic-lovers under a new common musical ground. This is a very refreshing album, a masterpiece that will find the good response of a large selection of people. Libitina are the next English gothic band that will enter into the "hall of goth fame" after Nosferatu, Rosetta Stone, Suspiria and Inkubus Sukkubus. Strength, melody, rhythm, personality... this album has everything!"

Review by Alex Daniele.

ADDRESS: Ascension, Alex Daniele, Casella Postale 28, 13044 Crescentino (Vercelli), Italy.

RhythmUS Network.

"... Libitina is Gothic in the same sense as bands like Killing Joke, Executive Slacks and Sex Gang Children and have similar elements to their sound. ... a distinctly dark and intelligent sound. It's obvious that this Sheffield based darkwave/gothic band knows their stuff. ... [They] have a rather intelligent outlook which is unmistakeable. I really love the guitar work on the chorus of "Betrayal" as it has some distinct elements of early Goth-Rock. It's interesting how the same track, during the stanzas, mainly utilizes synthesizers to carry the melody in an almost Cure-esque sort of way. There are times on the album where the rapid percussive rhythms are more punklike in origin... They also do a wonderful job of combining instrumentation elements from piano, keyboard, percussion and guitar to create a synthetic version of early Goth-Rock that is completely suitable to modern Darkwave and they've drawn a very thin line between the two. ... Then, of course, there is "Virgins" in which Libitina does an excellent job of fitting right in with the current Industrial stylings which include more harsh elements and grovely vocals as well as a combination of digital and analog synth sounds to complete the effect. Another of my favorites is "Voluptuary" which is sometimes dreamy and other times aggressively angst ridden and pounding."

Review by TG Mondalf.

ADDRESS: RhythmUS Network.

In Music We Trust, Volume 40.

"Weltanschauung contains a little bit of something for everyone. Heavy on synths, Libitina's Weltanschauung also unearths a taste of industrial as well as dance, with a portion of goth rock encapsulating most all of the 12 tracks. The lyrical content of Weltanschauung runs through the totality of emotional toils, but there are other twists thrown in... such as "Polemic", which has a political core; and "Virgins" with its grainy vocals, spacey synths and a more industrial cadence that give this track a completely different feeling yet again from other tracks on Weltanschauung. ... Weltanschauung is bound to bring Libitina even more global attention."

Review by Sonya Brown.

Starvox, November Issue.

"Libitina's latest release, Weltanschauung, is a musical exercise in drama and passion. The title translated means "world view" and we are taken through every emotion associated with betrayal that is intrinsic in the human condition whether one is 8 or 80. Despite the title, all the songs are delivered in English with a variety of hybrid sounds that seems to be the rage in Europe these days. Lyrically, this CD puts the heart on the cutting edge of a razor blade with dark poetry that is straightforward but not simplistic. In fact, just from reading the lyrics alone, one can understand why it may have taken a few years for this sophomore release to become available. Each song is like a mini stage production where the listener is drawn into the role of voyeur in order to witness the unfolding of relational collapse on many levels from the personal to the religious. Because of this skillful writing, one can almost envision any artist taking a track and recreating it to fit in any genre because of its collective and poignant message. This bold work does not care to play it safe. It is meant to purge us from the same demons that bear witness of our own tortured souls. This is further demonstrated when the songs take a turn from a narrative style delivery to an outright primal shout that puts us in the front row seat of interaction. Vocally, the band asserts and resonates with the tempestuous fervor that was evident during the heyday of the punk rock era, making it raw to some extent, but still keeping the feeling authentic. This style may remind some of a harder version of Sopor Aeterunus at times. Musically, however, the band shifts between neo-classical, gothic, industrial and synthpop in an effortless fashion, making sure to broaden their appeal while maintaining the goth roots from whence they sprang. For those who like their music to have a bit of edge along with lyrical substance, you can't go wrong with Libitina. The songs are not gender specific, so they can easily cross between the boundaries and the sexes while still maintaining pensive thought from a first person perspective."

Review by Mike Ventarola.

Totem, Number 18.

"Libitina have a really unmistakable sound--gothic rock guitars with electronic elements--that they have built upon and refined with their new release. Occasionally they have an irresistible Rosetta Stone touch, like on Betrayal. I love this song! But also the catchy Pariah and the somewhat faster, danceable Farewell My Love meet with my approval... Warpaint is another of my favourite songs from the new album. The typical Libitina Sound with a pinch of Bauhaus. With the last track, Something of a Love Song, a sad, melodic song, they show their best side once again, and anticipation of new releases is already awakening. Conclusion: A very nice album. Whoever likes A Closer Communion will love Weltanschauung."

Review by Karin Hoog. Translated by Paul Jackson.

ADDRESS: Totem, c/o Karin Hoog, Postfach 44 01 39, 12001 Berlin, Germany.

Meltdown Magazine, Issue 7 (Autumn 01).

"... a good album for those appreciative of the more Romantic end of the gothic spectrum."

Review by Rancid.

ADDRESS: Meltdown Magazine, PO Box 543, Beaconsfield, HP9 1WL, England.

Backagain.

"... I really like "Weltanschauung"... There are some great songs featured like "Betrayal" and most of all "Pariah". If you like all the great 90s Gothic-Rock bands from England like Vendemmian, Rosetta Stone, Children On Stun... and so on, you soon will be a fan of LIBITINA, too... if you are not by now..."

Review by Alex Pohle.

Neon Promotions.

"Compelling lyrics combined with intricate, well programmed sounds and a tight sounding drum box ensure that this album makes for good listening from start to finish - that`s twelve strong tracks. We liked the dark "Betrayal" and the beautiful "Farewell my love" but there is not a duff track in sight. Well written and recorded, this album is definitely worth checking out."

Review by John Swaine.

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