What happened to the feeling of upheaval and in the 90s, which found its musical expression in the infamous Eurodance hymns? Why do we dance and party in times of climate change, pandemic, and apocalyptic feelings? Can we still talk about “partying”? Elvis de Sade asks these questions and answers them with their mixture of dark wave, industrial, pop and dance in their debut album “World for Us” in which reminiscences of Eurodance are joined by elements of blues, soul, folk, and even rap.
Andreas Rentz, arranger and composer of Elvis de Sade, says about the new album: “The title ‘World for Us’ describes a world that we need to reconquer. Everyone notices that the overall mood is bad. Social injustice, climate change, the rightward shift… It's not surprising that depressive music, escapism and an aestheticization of horror dominate. Unlike other dark wave bands, we don’t want to just sink in melancholy and disenchantment. We’re going one step forward and want to create a world for ourselves, where we feel comfortable, where we want to live.”
Elvis de Sade was formed by singer Leo Schild and Andreas Rentz in München in 2017. One year later they were joined by keyboarder Cosima Weiske and bassist Felix Hölter. At first just reinforcements for live performances, they’re now full members, a development that shows in the band’s further refined sound.
Following up on their 2020 EP “Angelus Novus”, Elvis de Sade are releasing their debut album: “A World for Us” will appear January 2022 on vinyl and is already available everywhere on digital streaming platforms. The album was recorded in the Young & Cold studios in Augsburg. The cover artwork, which shows industrial structures in the darkness, pierced by the bright rays of streetlights, was designed by Munich artist Stijn Jonckheere. “To me, in a way, it’s a materialistic turn from the rather spiritual seeming title of our EP ‘Angelus Novus,’” says singer Leo Schild. “It’s not just melancholy and vague hope for something else, it expresses that this world is a world for us. Not only is it molded by us and can be formed and changed by us—life in it ought to be rewarding for us.”
"Elvis de Sade is independent in the best sense and their album is a small sensation." (UNTER.TON, Germany)
"Elvis De Sade takes care to create a very personal sound, kind of Cold-Wave for the next generation." (Side-Line Reviews, Belgium)
"An exciting album and so far away from all current releases in the genre Dark Wave / Post Punk. Not new, but completely different." (Amboss Mag, Germany)
"This album will appeal to fans of the original darkwave aesthetic as well as those who prefer a fresh and sophisticated band sound." (Cold Experiment, Japan)
"'World For Us' proves to be a pleasantly warm debut album, which can be enjoyed while relaxedly dreaming of better times." (Sonic Seducer Musikmagazin, Germany)
"The restless and moody 'World For Us' winds in a nervously throbbing bleak bassline and steady lashing beats that underpin ceremonial swirling airy synth glows and poignant crystalline guitar melodies to instil sparkling slivers of pain and hope around rich vocal textures, blending stoic, fearful, and emotional angst with eerie female hums, distant, guilt-inducing conversations, and timorous back-up haloes, to fall desperately into a purgatory of broken dreams." (WhiteLight/WhiteHeat, USA)
"On World For Us, Elvis de Sade confidently go their own way through or into their world between poppy, undulating guitar fields and quite delicate synth soundscapes." (Spontis, Germany)
"All in all, a wonderful album, which the gloom-loving people of Munich should also treat themselves to on vinyl." (IN München, Germany)
"We know that the German very often performs in the cold sphere. This is also the case for Elvis de Sade, who make a good business card for their first 'full lenght'." (MUZZART, France)
"The moments full of fragile beauty, the dense, intense arrangement but at the same time enliven and provide again and again for pleasant goose bumps (especially the completely unwavey guitar plings here and there). Definitely a song for us!" (Schwarzes Bayern, Germany)
"Elvis de Sade are back from the studio and bring us their first album. If you have a soft spot for infectious synth melodies and larmoyant languorous vocals, you should get acquainted with the sound of Elvis de Sade. Everything about it is reminiscent in the best sense of wave, goth, post punk and generally the 80s and their old heroes like the Sisters of Mercy." (Mucbook, Germany)
Post-punk, wave and gothic band currently living in Munich. Influenced by the eurodance anthems of the 90s, combined with
the gloomy existentialism of dark wave, Elvis de Sade musically represent excess and degeneration — like their namesakes, pop culture tragedy Elvis Presley and philosopher of perversion Marquis de Sade....more
Perfect albums don't have to be long, but the music has to hit the heart and the nerve. This is one of them. After I liked the digital album I ordered one of the last CDs. It arrived today. The CD has a special velvety feel. And an autograph card to go with it. Thank you Mariusz! I hope to see you live one day. Keep up the good work! ConcertJunkie
I adore erika and Abu Nein. this album is chill and dark and wonderful from start to finish! I'm looking to get Abu Nein to play in the States. at the famous Numbers nite club in Houston Tx. viva Abu Nein!!! Manikinzero
Perfectly gloomy Norwegian goth/post-punk, anchored by a punchy rhythm section and driven by chiming guitar lines and morose vocals. Bandcamp New & Notable Feb 16, 2021
“Strangers” is packed with wonderfully menacing electro-goth—late-night horror movie music for vampire dance parties. Bandcamp New & Notable May 8, 2023