The new album of ZERAPHINE emerges as a real surprise! In my opinion, the compositions of previous records were lacking of a stringent songwriting, so that I lost the interest in the band little by little.
Well, after they got released from their contract with Sony/BMG they took much time to check all possibilities. But they could not find the real deal and ultimately founded an own label to be free in their work and decisions, now backend by Soulfood as distribution. Reading the info-sheet it seems that ZERAPHINE got strongly regimented in the past and that they are fed up with that. As for me it doesn’t sound convincing, because I cannot imagine why a label shouldn’t be interested in releasing such a great record…

And Still is surprisingly strong! ZERAPHINE tried to leave composition and production processes as close as possible on their live experiences, what does audibly good to the record. Still not only spreads more emotions and authenticity compared with the last two albums for example, but definitely rocks much more vehemently, giving catchier access to the music without losing fineness and techniques. But the biggest balance act Still manages is to be catchy (for my sake commercial too) and sophisticated as well as varied at the same time. That’s something you don’t get every day…

Already opening title-track makes clear what this album is about: straightforward rocking, with interesting details provided songs that immediately get stuck in your ears but leaving a permanent impression. The band mates harmonize well and give enough space for developments to the still charismatic voice of Sven Friedrich and his lyrics. Even if he doesn’t like to hear that but on Still ZERAPHINE sound more like the Dreadful Shadows as ever before. They actually were more Gothic-like but the rocking attitude and the charisma of the songs is similar.
Another highlights on Still are Inside Your Arms that reminds of Zeromancer, Gib mir Dein Gift that tends in the direction of late Love Like Blood, Toxic Skies that owns downright catchy and wonderful melodies and the one and the other potential hit for the black community as there are Fang mich, Halbes Ende and the closing ballad Nur ein Tag. National rivalry looks quite bad I’d say and I guess we will take much pleasure in these gents from Berlin next time. It’s worth 8.5 points.