DIARY OF DREAMS – “Psychoma?” (25-year classic)

Diary of Dreams
“Psychoma?”
(Accession/EFA)

The most mature album of the Düsseldorf-Hürth formation around Adrian Hates so far. With fortunately few exceptions, “Psychoma?” manages without guitars, at least without overlaying everything else. So an electronic album, with which Adrian Hates nevertheless does not betray his roots. The influence of Olaf Schäning, formerly a synth popper (Orpheus In Red Velvet), who was already hitting the keys during Diary of Dreams’ last concerts, is unmistakable. With his sound creations and self-created sounds he is a real enrichment of the Düsseldorf gloomy men and involved in almost all compositions, which is why he is now a permanent member of the band. “Psychoma?” deals with the psychology of man without conveying a clear message through the lyrics. The listener should think about this for himself, Hates demands. The music is carried by somber melodies, in which the apocalyptic foresight of Mr. Hates excites even without lyrics. But unlike many other musical representatives of the apocalypse, Diary of Dreams do convey something like hope, “even if the negative in the world predominates,” says Adrian Hates. When entering the titles, the employees of GEMA will have been pleased, because rarely have you seen such complicated constructions, such as “(ver)Gift(et)”, “Luna(-tic)”, “You(-das)” or “End(giftet)”. Timelessly beautiful and a hit in every respect is “E.-dead-Motion”, for which “Psychoma?” alone is worthwhile. In addition, there is the stylish artwork.

Robert Baumanns

(The review was first published in the Orkus! issue September 1998)

You can enjoy the album on Spotify: