Review RPWL ‘Crime Scene’

RPWL (it stands for the names of the founding members: Rissettio, Postl, Wallner, Lang) have been among the spearhead of German progressive rock for many years. Since the late 90s, the Bavarians have been enchanting their audience with great song, atmospheric density and superb melodies.

The debut album ‘God Has Failed’ was released at the beginning of the new millennium and further records followed. With ‘Crime Scene’ the Bavarian art rockers now present their latest work and it is the expected big shot.

In six songs the quartet shows once again that they belong to the first league of prog rock, and besides the musical trademarks it is always the lyrics which get extra attention with RPWL.

Photo: AlexeyTestov

The title ‘Crime Scene’ gives an idea of where the lyrical journey goes to this time. The album deals with the abysses of the human soul and the resulting behavior. The evil, the morbid and the unfathomable, everything is reflected in lyrics about, for example, the cannibal of Münsterberg and Carl Tanzler, the home taxidermist from Florida. These bizarre and disturbing stories are what the band also musically converts with a detective-like precision. Oppressive soundscapes are created that are determined by atmospheric depth. Singer Yogi Lang plays an important role here, as he is the one who brings lyrics and music into sync with his voice. And of course it is Kalle Wallner’s guitar that charms you; on the one hand through filigree solo parts but also as a vehicle for feeling and expression.

‘Crime Scene’ has become the expected good new album of RPWL. With investigative precision the guys get to the bottom of the roots of evil and manage to pack the outcome of their investigation into impressive songs. On this album everything fits together and a long-term listening delight is guaranteed.