Considering the immense intensity with which some people analyse and admire the diversity of the gothic community (which is in fact a justifiable thing to do), artists may certainly increase their wonder whether it is possibly to combine this apparently inexhaustible diversity of styles at least on a musical level.
No way? Well, four musicians from Koblenz making up THE COUNT give very impressive proof that there is indeed a way: their new album Zero, which also rewarded them with a contract from the famous Gothic-label Dark Wings. Since January 24 Zero has been distributed by SPV, which means that both party people as well as fans of more quiet and darker sounds should pay attention and get ready to rock.
In a sparkling mixture the guys manage to interweave Industrial, Electro and celestial Darkwave, even including solid rocking guitars and Sythiepop influences. Zero is of significantly unique variety from Oliver’s classically distorted voice to densely arranged Sythie-parts to romantic melodies on the piano. Zero leaves no wish unfulfilled; not to forget the fragile sounds of a wonderful female voice, which contributes as a perfect support.
THE COUNT’s second longplayer (Zero follows the first demo-CD Leave Humanity In Dust) covers an incredibly broad spectrum of atmospheres – at times in a ghostly, mechanical darkness, then embedded in a yearning sound pattern by mourning, romantic melodies only to be daydreaming or rocking aggressively the very next moment.
Lyrics by THE COUNT are presented both in English and in German, although the letter one might have been abolished altogether, since German lyrics usually have a slight touch of grave-digging.
But this remains my humble opinion. Despite the fact that one shall not argue personal taste, this little criticism does not reduce the quality of Zero as a whole in any way. So I hope I will not remain the only one to prick up my ears when it comes to this musical formation. And I also hope that I will not be the only one to reserve a spot in the repeat mode of my CD player for songs like Plastik or the wonderful Ground.