Bohren & der Club of Gore – Patchouli Blue (2020)
What makes the music of Bohren & der Club of Gore so unsettling? It isn’t the dark, slow-core of this German trio- that would sound almost relaxing. And it isn’t the sparse instrumentation that crawls through each of these tracks. Absolutely not, this isn’t goth.
There is something much deeper to be found at the heart of their music, a chaotic nihilism that is unrelenting. Extreme. A thick atmosphere that refuses to let us relax and enjoy the weaving sexuality throughout the music. This isn’t cocktail music for a late night dinner with your lover, although the music does have plenty of seductive power.
Patchouli Blue is the follow-up to the band’s 2014 Piano Nights. The album won’t break your heart with soothing saxophone croons. Instead, it is an album that should be approached thoughtfully and with the understanding that you are on a journey into those regions of your psyche were bad things don’t happen to you – but are done by you. Der Club of Gore are asking us to examine the beast within our core.
Although each of the band’s albums have a similar surface, these are musicians much too smart and talented to make the same album twice. Each record has subtle differences lurking just below the first layer of gloom.
On Patchouli Blue the band manages to update their trademark sound without losing the timelessness that is so essential to the philosophical heart of the band. This is the reason that Bohren remains so singularly important in the death-core category, nobody can touch what they do.
And I strongly recommend leaving behind any thoughts of Twin Peaks. Yes. The music of Angelo Badalamenti has many attributes to recommend, but Bohren is a different breed. Zwei Herzen aus Gold is a fitting example of that unusual black melancholy. The cool electrico-keyboards seduce us into believing that the mystery is over. But suddenly the back of your neck tightens and the darkness from underneath the melody is standing behind you.
The center piece of this amazing record is the track, Tief Gesunken. A vaguely Krautrock track that feels like the dark angel of my soul riding up from its slumber. Ready for revenge on those that would make us suffer. Doom unleashed.
This powerful instrumental album will make you forget the posers to the throne (that’s you, Mr. Cave). Once you hear music played with this level of artistry and sincerity, you don’t need actor’s to investigate the unsettled areas of your mind.
by Shawn Ciavattone
Shawn,
I am intrigued by everything about this: the Gothic/occult album artwork, the names of the songs, and your descriptive review.
Thanks for putting them on my radar, interesting band 👍
Haunting track. Makes me want to hear more.
I listened to five of their albums yesterday night after hearing the sample here. Excellent stuff!
Five albums of the kings of doom?! That’s great. Each album has something unique to offer. The new record is a new path for the band.
This sounds really good, tt made me remember some tracks from Bowie’s last album “Blackstar”. I understand your point, you have to leave all your preconcieved ideas (Goth Music, Twin Peaks) and just relax/embrace the music, that’s exactly what I’m doing. Thanks, Shawn!
Haunting and sexy, good night music. I researched the band, they apparently started as metal group! The cover is unusual too.
Blackstar is indeed coming from someplace dark. Bohren is a band worth taking some time for. The intensity of extreme metal with the pacing of a nightmare. Piano Nights, the last album, is a great place to to start.
Wonderful record and review, thanks for recommending this outstanding band to me early on.
On the band’s website it says: “Dear friends of nighttime drives, remote bridges to nowhere and empty multistory car parks” – which describes the music perfectly, but it should mention that Mike Myers is always walking around somewhere in these sceneries. The album’s German song titles completely creeped me out before I even listened to a single note. Here :
1. Totally wrong
2. Confusion at the beach
3. Don’t believe me a word
4. Patchouli Blue
5. Your cousin
6. Forgotten & over
7. Everyone shall know it!
8. Sunk deep
9. Two hearts of gold
10. Tell me, how long
11. My world is beautiful
Damn
Incredible track!! I must check them out ASAP. Thanks a lot for featuring them!
The titles are fitting for the music. Everyone Shall Know it. You must love these titles that tell us something about the drama happening behind the music. These could almost be titles for Turkish arabesque? Always a treat to hear our Club of Gore.