Umbra Et Imago

Umbra et Imago (lt.: "Shadow and Image") is a German Neue Deutsche Härte-/Gothic metal-band formed in autumn 1991.

Umbra et Imago

Origin Karlsruhe, Germany

Genre(s) Neue Deutsche Härte

Gothic metal

Years active 1991-present

Label(s) Ausfahrt

Deathwish Office

EastWest Records

Nuclear Blast

Oblivion

SPV GmbH

Irond

Spirit Production

Associated acts Dracul

Website umbraetimago.de

Members

Mozart

Lutz Demmler

Michael Schwarz

Former members

Kris

Jochen Ritter

Chris Tin

Torsten B.

Matze B.

Michael Gillian

Achim Vogel

Alex Perin

Andi Lehnert

Freddy S.

Nail

History

In picking up Sigmund Freud's idea that sexuality was the center of our being they processedsadomasochistic fantasies though their cynic lyrics. The band is famous for incorporating BDSM acts and complex pyrotechnics into their live shows. The band played often live with Gerhard "Felix" Stass from Crematory, he sings the growls for the song Mea Culpa.

Members

Current Line-Up

• Mozart (vocals)
• Lutz Demmler (bass)
• Michael Schwarz (drums)

former Members

• Kris (vocals)
• Jochen Ritter (vocals)
• Chris Tin (samples)
• Torsten B. (bass)
• Matze B. (keyboard)
• Michael Gillian (keyboards)
• Achim Vogel (keyboard)
• Alex Perin (guitar)
• Andi Lehnert (guitar)
• Freddy S. (guitar)
• Nail (guitar)

Discography

EP

• Träume, Sex Und Tod (1992)
• Remember Dito (1994)

Albums

• Infantile Spiele (1993)
• Gedanken Eines Vampirs (1995)
• Mystica Sexualis (1996)
• Machina Mundi (1998)
• Mea Culpa (2000)
• Dunkle Energie (2001)
• 2 Originals Of Umbra Et Imago (2003)
• Memento Mori (2004)

Singles

• Sex Statt Krieg (1996)
• Kein Gott und keine Liebe (1997)
• Weinst Du? feat. Tanzwut (1999)
• Feuer Und Licht (2001)
• Sweet Gwendoline (2004)
• Gott Will Es (2007)

DVD

• Die Welt Brennt (2002)
• Motus Animi (2005)
• Imago Picta (2006)
• Past Bizarre (2007)

Live Albums

• The Hard Years - Das Live-Album (1997)
• The hard years II (2007)

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

hi everybody

we just came back from southamerica - and celebrated a huge party - if you can feel somewhere like a popstar, then with the great fans there!! it was one of our most impressive expiriences - thanks a lot for this support, we´ll come back as soon as possible!!

and now the latest news:

i´m proud to tell you that you will be able to see me on tv -every week for one hour - in my own gothic-magazine called "clip inquisition". it starts in december 2006 in high definition atwww.streetclip.tv or via sky-tv. the interviews with bands and musicians of the scene we will film in the "kulturuine" (www.kulturruine.de)

but that´s not enough - we are going to finish our audio-book "Chateau Noir" - the project is called "Madeleine Le Roy" - it´s an ambient-cd with parts of literature from "Geschichte der O" "Marquis de Sade"and "Venus im Pelz", the cult-books of the gothic- and sm-scene which had a big influence of my work and the work of other associates. and of course there is also new stuff from us included and a song from Kate Bush ... the cd will be available mai 2007 - together with the next "Madeleine Le Roy et ses amies"-akt-fetish-calendar 2008 and in a solo-version. the following artists worked with us: Oliver (Faun), Amber, Birkenbeil (Dracul), Phillip Spiegel (Radio Galaxy) and many others.

By the way we also work at a music-theatre-performance about the inquisition with which we are going to be on tour next year. More about wé´ll tell you soon ...

The band UMBRA ET IMAGO was founded by its leader Mozart in the fall of 1991.
On purpose, a new counter-statement to the young and rising gothic culture was meant to be made. Yet, its name ( unsubstancial shadow) is issued and put on stage. Because of the brand new concept, the band was never easy to deal with.
Refering to the Austrian psychiatrist Dr. Sigmund Freud as far as “ Sexuality is the axis of our being”, the cornerstone of the underdog-band was found.
Spontaneity and experimentality were celebrated with boundless energy.
The line-up consisted of Michael Gillian, Nail, Thosten B. and Mozart.
In 1992 the band started live performances, which where fueled by their visual effects from the first time on.
The artist Dirk Lakomy, supporting the band in its early days, illustrated the band’s phantasy with his pictures and artwork.
Guest musicians were in charge for the acoustic variety in the former electronic band. The band’s eccentricity was legendary, occasionally feared, but in all cases charismatic and unique.

The media, responding in an unexpected hard way, often polarized and criticized the band and rarely understood its message.
Bottom line: The band became cult.
Umbra et Imago established their own branch in goth-music.
S/M-phantasies were used as their trade mark in the former asexual Indie scene, making its way to a much larger audience.
The S/M-theme was chosen purposely, because it would reflect the most intellectual expression of sexuality in their minds.

http://www.umbraetimago.de/