The Band
BlutEngel (Blood Angel) is a German electro-gothic band formed in 1998 by singer Chris Pohl.
Their lyrics are in German or English. Their songs are presented with male and female vocals. The songs’ themes usually deal with Gothic fiction such as love, vampirism, death, and immortality with an emotional undertone.
The band calls its musical style dark pop.
Band Members
- Chris Pohl – vocals, lyrics, programming
- Ulrike Goldmann – vocals and lyrics
The Album
Dämonen: Sturm (Demons: Storm) is BlutEngel fourteenth studio album. Released on February 28, 2025. A very dark album in which Chris once again brings us into his world of inner demons with their characteristic style and musical taste.
The Songs
Disc 1
1. Dämonen (Prologue). (Demons) It’s an Instrumental and dark track.
2. Der Sturm. (The Storm). Danceable, electronic, 80s. Ulrike sings the second voice in the choir. The lyrics are about moving on.
3. My Creation. Very electronic, danceable, but always dark. It’s like from the point of view of God creating humankind and then being disappointed at his creation, of how we corrupted ourselves.
4. When Darkness Falls. Love ballad, melancholic, but danceable, at the same time. He’s always going to be present to support his lover.
5. Ivory Tower. Ballad, sad, love. It’s about his lover dying.
6. She Wears Black. Synth, dark. About a lonely girl. I liked the reference in the lyrics in which Chris sings the lines “she hates emotions” (a callback to his other musical project She Hates Emotions in which he makes 80s synth music and which I love too, of course).
7. Angst. (Fear). Sad vibe. Heavy on the synth. I love all the sounds. The hopelessness of the times we’re living in (I think most of us feel this way).
8. Reunited. Ulrike sings. Very 80s.
9. Weitergehen. (Move On). I loved this song. Very melancholic.
10. The Right Path. Danceable. He’s singing to someone who feels lost.
11. Tausend Leben. (A Thousand Lives). Ulrike and Chris sing. I loved this song too. It’s like they’re together, very romantic.
12. False Gods. Synths. Ulrike sings to someone, asking why he left her alone, why he doesn’t guide her. Chris answers her later in the chorus (like God) that she doesn’t need him to move forward.
13. I Will Surrender. A ballad. She’s going to give up, she requires someone by her side to help her fight.
14. After the Storm (Epilog). The track with which the first album ends. Instrumental, it has an epic and sweet vibe. Piano.
Disc 2
1. Empire of Blood (Instrumental). The start of the second album.
2. Freedom Awaits You. Very danceable, 80s, great, and also about going your path.
3. Nothing Left (feat. Solar Fake). I love this song and I love these two bands. Super catchy, danceable, and 80s vibe. The low voice of Sven Friedrich (singer of Solar Fake) is a perfect match for Chris. Also about moving on, because we’re alone. I did a review of this song when it was released, a while ago: https://metalbere.com/collaboration-between-two-synthpop-legends-blutengel-solar-fake-nothing-left-song-review/
4. Remembrance. Chris and Ulrike sing together in the chorus. What happens after we die? We’ll be missed. Will we be remembered? Even though this is another danceable track, it has a sad and dark undertone because of the theme.
5. Follow Me. This song reminded me of Depeche Mode. Dark and electronic.
6. I Am the One. Danceable, and good. He sings that he’s the only one who’s everywhere and always available for her.
7. Guide Me (Through the Night). Danceable. He asks her if she’s going to be with him and if she’s going to guide him.
8. Bleeding Out. This song has an industrial vibe.
9. Fight the Demons. More on the electronic side, almost techno.
10. Wir. (Us). Ulrike sings. A super romantic and beautiful song about being together until death, beyond eternity. Her voice provides that emotional ballad style.
11. The Dark Veil (Instrumental). The end of the second album. Organ sounds, ceremonial and epic.
The whole work ends with beautiful Acoustic / Orchestra Versions of the songs: Weitergehn, Reunited, Ivory Tower, I Will Surrender, and Wir.
Final Thoughts
Most of the lyrics on these albums and, in general, in BlutEngel songs are about following your path. That’s one of the things I love about them and Chris’s super positive lyrics, believing in yourself, moving on, making your way, and not being afraid. That, plus the great music, and the nostalgic feeling about the 80s, full of synth and danceable songs, but always with a dark tone and a somber aesthetic, makes this work complete.
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Tracklist
Disc 1
- Dämonen (Prologue)
- Der Sturm
- My Creation
- When Darkness Falls
- Ivory Tower
- She Wears Black
- Angst
- Reunited
- Weitergehen
- The Right Path
- Tausend Leben
- False Gods
- I Will Surrender
- After the Storm (Epilog)
Disc 2:
- Empire of Blood (Instrumental)
- Freedom Awaits You
- Nothing Left (feat. Solar Fake)
- Remembrance
- Follow Me
- I Am the One
- Guide Me (Through the Night)
- Bleeding Out
- Fight the Demons
- Wir
- The Dark Veil (instrumental)
Acoustic / Orchestra Versions:
- Weitergehn
- Reunited
- Ivory Tower
- I Will Surrender
- Wir