Powered By Noise

Nachtmahr - Feuer Frei! - (Vendetta Music)

Feuer Frei! is the second album from Nachtmahr, which is the brainchild of Thomas Rainer. Thomas is previously known for his work with L’Ame Immortelle and Siechtum. He takes the hard hitting energy, programming experience, and vocal style from his other projects and directs it into his very own Nachtmahr. Following the success of Kunst Ist Krieg, Nachtmahr’s debut release, this proper full length for his solo project has definitely hit the ground running.

Two tracks were carried over from Nachtmahr’s debut release onto this full length album. One of those tracks happens to be the title track and the other one, “Deus Ex Machina”, is very much a stand out track on the album. This project is a very well executed combination of Rhythmic Noise and Modern EBM with an emphasis on energy and danceability. “Nachtmahr”, “Feuer Frei!”, “Opferzeit”, and “Deus Ex Machina” all have very infectious vocal hooks in the chorus and are the stand out tracks featuring vocals on the album. The vocals are of the distorted variety, much in the vein of Thomas’ vocal work with L’Ame Immortelle. Of the “instrumental” tracks “Karusell” really grabs me with the driving and pulsing bassline that’s coupled with a somewhat airy synth line. Another stand out “instrumental” track is “Endzeitstimmung”, the bassbeat in this track could fit just as easily into a high-energy dance track by Underworld. “Endzeitstimmung” is also reminiscent of work by This Morn’ Omina or S.I.N.A.

Feuer Frei! is an album that can find a home on the dancefloor, in your car, on your iPod, and anywhere else there’s need for a driving beat. Definitely pick up this album if you get the chance, it’s well worth many spins.

Up next from Nachtmahr is the Katharsis EP, featuring various remixes along with new material, which is due out in September of 2008.