This album pulls listeners into the stormy depths of our innermost struggles, exploring the “inner demons” we face. Not the monsters we know from horror movies, but those dark forces within, the ones that haunt, challenge and sometimes even break us. On 25 new songs, Chris Pohl channels the powerful emotions tied to depression, fear, self-discovery and loss, crafting an album that’s both intensely personal and universally resonant.
With “Dämonen:Sturm”, Blutengel stay true to their signature sound while fearlessly venturing into new territory. Fans will recognize the epic, anthemic style in tracks like “Tausend Leben” and “Wir sind der Sturm”, but they will also find chilling songs like “The Right Path” that evoke a dark, haunting ambiance. The ballads, more abundant on this album, bring a raw, intimate touch, as Chris writes in the first person on tracks like “Ivory Tower” and “I Will Surrender”, offering glimpses into his own personal battles.
Musically, “Dämonen:Sturm” is a journey through textures and tempos, from gritty, stomping rock beats on “Angst” to retro-electro influences in “She Wears Black”. The album even takes daring steps away from Blutengel’s usual sound, with tracks like “Bleeding Out”, an unexpected gem that expands this new record’s sonic range. The production keeps a deliberately rough and “dirty” edge, amplifying the raw energy and vulnerability of each song. Longtime fans of Blutengel’s atmospheric instrumentals will also be delighted by the album’s haunting instrumental tracks, enhancing the shadowy and immersive experience.
So here’s the review:
CD1:
Dämonen (Prologue) sounds like a scary intro of a Playstation game: knowing something is coming and building up the tension!
Der Sturm wakes you up from the start (if needed) with a high tempo and loud beats. It’s indeed like the title: a storm (for the dancefloor). Feel the pathos and feel the energy. I can call it also a very catchy song with the perfect drive! It’s clear why this has to be a hit!
My creation starts like as if it’s going to be a techno song, but once the synths fully get in they hand out a darker feeling whilst the beats push it towards the dancefloor. Hence once Chris starts to sing the tempo goes a bit down, but that was just to relaunch it! Lyric wise it might be a Frankenstein versus Putin story.
When darkness falls is a more melancholic but yet still up-tempo track with somehow also a few sweet layers (check the backings).
Ivory tower has the right title to describe the sadness and loneliness. It’s a slow one, working out the dark, deep and sad feelings.
She wears black has already been launched as a single and was indeed the right choice to make as this song has the potential to make it! The music and vocals are clearly in sync!
Angst has also been launched as a single and is sung in German an in English. The tempo is ok and the sound is really modern. It has some theatrical passages that might make it interesting on stage!
Reunited is the time for Ulrike to shine. I call this one a poppy track with a good tempo, nice beats and a modern sound. I’m wandering how it will sound live.
Weitergehen has a nice sound is according to me the typical 2025 sound for Blutengel and yet I also hear some old school passages too (including Ulrike’s backings).
The right path has some aggression in it, a good feel that will make it on stage and an ok tempo. I just miss that extra sparkle that Elevates the track to a higher level.
Tausend Leben is a sweet duet about living 1000 lives (at least if I have the translation good). It’s nice and has it’s right place here on this record. I like it.
False gods gets build up by Ulrike in a fragile way but once Chris jumps in with his vocals the tempo goes up and after his part it becomes a duet. I feel it has some potential to reach a lot of people on stage.
I will surrender is a more melancholic one, with a low tempo and more focussed on the emotions withing the lyrics. It could have sounded a bit more into a bombastic vibe.
After the storm (Epilog) is a soft outro, just like described in the title of the song. It’s nice, but that’s also the one I’m going to skip in the future.
CD2:
Empire of blood (Instrumental). Euurgh: do we need instrumentals? I know some people really love them, but I don’t. I want vocals, so skip this one except if you love instrumental tunes.
Freedom awaits you is a airy track with a positive feel. The song has such a soft sound/touch that I had to listen many times before I could actually write something about it.
Nothing left (feat. Solar Fake) has already been launched as a single and I totally understand why. The global sound is great the vocals are in sync! It’s a typical case of 1+1 = 3! If it happens they are on the same stage, well … I hope they perform this song together on stage!
Remembrance well one thing is sure: the tick tock chorus is very catchy, just as the music. It’s all in sync and thus I can say it’s a song with a high level quality!
Follow me has somehow star quality and has to become a single! The song is catchy, strong (but not overpowering), melancholic but yet also inspiring and giving hope. The beats and the global sound is great! I’ll give it a spin if I was still a DJ!
I am the one has a nice global sound, a good title but misses the energy to make the title of the track feel like real. I miss star power if you call this track I Am the one. For the rest no negative points.
Guide me (through the night) is catchy, romantic, has a good tempo and will for sure be loved by the fans. I’m sure this kind of songs is what the fans want to get.
Bleeding out is a more guitar driven song and a good change of sound. The chorus is nice, just as the global sound. It is a great one!
Fight the demons is a catchy (possible) dancefloor hit! It’s clearly a must have: it has the right tempo, the beats needed and the sound that screams for it!
Wir is a nice ballad and the right time for Ulrike to shine in her own language (German).
The dark veil (instrumental) is as you all know by now not my cup of tea as I don’t like instrumentals, but it’s not bad and might be used within PC games.
CD3 (Acoustic / Orchestral Versions, for those who buy the Digibook)
Weitergehen is a special version: a delight for the fans however I prefer the original version.
Reunited is a nice acoustic version where you can hear crystal clear how good Ulrike’s voice is! This new version is a win! Congratz!
Ivory tower changes this song into a more fragile one (great piano play). I hear another winner with this new version! It’s a great acoustic/orchestral version!
I will surrender is a great new version, filled with pathos and thus charming me a lot!
Wir well I already loved the original and in here we hear again the crystal clear voice of Ulrike; lifting the song to a higher level and rendering the acoustic/orchestral version to a high! A real masterclass!
So that was it! It took me a while to finish it. I’m glad I got it during my holidays. What can I say? It’s a great triple album with lots of specials (included Acoustic/orchestral versions). Great single’s (and others with the same potential), great duets! Enough variation and overall a great sound! It’s clear Chris is in a very productive state (on a high level, talking about quality above quantity)! I understand why this one is one of the most well-known and best scoring German bands within this genre from the past 10 years! Keep up the great work! Hope to see you again one day on stage! And will ask as a fanboy for a selfie!
In April, Blutengel will head out for their Dämonen:Sturm Release Tour across Germany:
03.04.2025 Frankfurt (Main)
04.04.2025 Oberhausen
05.04.2025 Hamburg
11.04.2025 Jena
12.04.2025 Dresden
25.04.2025 Stuttgart
26.04.2025 Aarburg
27.04.2025 Nürnberg
30.04.2025 Magdeburg
16.05.2025 Berlin
>> Tickets: https://www.outoflineshop.de/tickets
