Review
Lebanon Hanover’s third studio album, “Tomb for Two,” released in 2013, stands as a testament to the duo’s refined artistry within the cold wave genre. The album opens with “Sadness Is Rebellion,” a track that juxtaposes ghostly synths with Larissa Iceglass’s poignant vocals, setting a tone of melancholic introspection. Throughout the album, the interplay between Iceglass and William Maybelline’s vocals creates a dynamic narrative, with tracks like “Stahlwerk” reflecting on industrial Berlin landscapes, while “Hall of Ice” invites listeners into a frosty, introspective realm. The minimalist instrumentation, characterized by jangly basslines and precise drum machines, evokes a sense of nostalgia, transporting listeners to the moody atmospheres reminiscent of the 1980s.
A standout track, “Gallowdance,” serves as a bass-driven memento mori, urging listeners to embrace life’s fleeting moments through dance, even in the face of mortality. The accompanying music video features Iceglass dancing with a noose around her neck, symbolizing this theme. The album’s title track, “Tomb for Two,” continues this exploration of gothic romance, presenting a morbid yet tender narrative of two souls finding solace together amidst gloom. The closing track, “Invite Me to Your Country,” offers a somber and pensive outro, with Iceglass’s wistful vocals echoing over droning keys and shivering guitars, contemplating the longing for distant love. Collectively, “Tomb for Two” solidifies Lebanon Hanover’s legacy of crafting anthems for the disenchanted, uniting outcasts in a shared defiance of societal norms. - Carlie
