Girls Under Glass: "Frozen" Reviews

Pour une fois, nous quitterons les sphères plutôt restrictives du métal de base pour nous intéresser à ce groupe Gothic/Electro/Industriel en provenance d'Allemagne. Même si le nom vous est certainement inconnu, Les Filles Sous Le Verre (je connais les filles DANS le verre mais uniquement dans les restos chinois) sont considérées comme un groupe assez influent dans la scène alternative. Messieurs, inutiles de fantasmer en tout cas, aucune charmante demoiselle ne vient agrémenter ce groupe, même si quelques vocaux féminins sont audibles sur ce disque. Ici on trouve peu de guitares incisives, mais plutôt des mélodies électroniques et cristallines à forte odeur de new-wave. On trouve des influences Apoptygma Berzerk, Nine Inch Nails, Kraftwek, Das Ich et......Madonna. Et oui, le titre phare de cet album est une reprise du tube de la donne sorti il y a quelques années (sur le très réussi "Ray of Light"). On trouve également dans les six titres, un remix concocté par Bruno Kramm et un autre par Wolfsheim (le numéro 1 des groupes d'electro européens). Même si cet album n'est pas d'une violence extrème, les passages ambient et les mélodies recherchées et parfois sombres devraient faire des heureux auprès des fans de musique électronique. Les autres vomiront comme d'habitude... Note: 7/10 Loufi, Violent Solutions Webzine


Fraichement signé par le label californien Van Richter, Girls Under Glass se fend d'un six titres pour annoncer la sortie d'equilibrium aux states. Tout comme leur album d'entrée sur le marché américan, Nightmares, ce mini album se compose de nouveautés et de titres plus anciens. En commencant par une reprise enjouée du "Frozen" de Madonna, largement dominée par des riffs de guitare saturée, les GUG surprennent plus par leur choix que par orchestration qui leur est somme toute propre. On remarquera avec deception que ce morceau de cinq minutes est en fait un copier coller de deux fois deux minutes, entrecoupé par une plage plus calme aux synthes. Plus convaincant, le remix de "Wings" par Bruno Kramm (Das Ich) nous emmene grace a la voix féerique de Sandr Bammer en des contrées electro medievales. La meilleure surprise étant la collaboration avec Peter Heppner de Wolfsheim qui vient poser sa voix en donnant une nouvelle vie a un titre plus tout jeune puisqu'il nous vient de Darius (1992). Pour ce qui est des autres titres, on retrouve "The Bitter End" extirpe de Firewalker (peut-etre leur meilleur album a ce jour), "Don't be Afraid" (sur Christus) et un "Desire Lasts Forever" sorti du dernier equilibrium, plombe par des guitares agressives d'un coté et aeré par des percus et une voix vocodée de l'autre. Ce mini, qui laisse un peu sur sa faim, est cependant une bonne introduction a GUG pour qui souhaites les decouvir. Francois Marlier, Elegy Magazine
There's accessible Goth that speaks directly to the Clockwork Orange characters and black-wigged Elvira girls inside almost every Goth/Industrial club in the country. Perhaps that's the aspect and sounds that many outsiders are fixated on when they dare enter these dark, strangely inviting abodes. After all, those crazed Industrial sounds with its costumed worshippers make for a rather intimidating visual.
But there's a darker, more honest, aspect to this scene that outshines even the dressed-up, spooky regulars. It's the pure-black, long hair hanging over a naturally vampiric complexion. It's the figure lurking in the club's dark corner dancing to themselves, not to the full-walled mirrors in a shameless display of vain. These individuals leave those rituals to the Kubrick hanger-on.
Here's an individual that feels the music, who the music is made for, because they feel it the most. They don't hang in the dark corners because it's the trendy Goth thing to do. They do it because that's where their misery lies most at ease.
Girls Under Glass makes the gorgeous, definitive sounds that this individual understands better than anyone else.
GUG's "Frozen" is not an immobile creation content to dwell in suffocating misery. It's a 6-track masterpiece of light, danceable Techno, soaring vocals and intense, drowning guitars. It's the perfect atmospheric landscape of melancholic standpoints praying for that sliver of light to appear in their world of darkness. Though not a blubbering begging for happiness "Frozen" is instead a dead-on emotional interpretation that believes with all its bleeding heart that peace will arrive someday.
The sounds of Girls Under Glass never get lost in that darkness and that's where their success on "Frozen" truly triumphs. It's too thick with emotional elements to become redundant, and even the group's soaring version of Madonna's "Frozen" doesn't come off as gimmicky or ordinary.
When the beautiful female vocalist on "Wings" sings, "I want to fly in your arms tonight," it's tough not to be swept away by its soothing ambience. "The Bitter End," the title track and the excellent, Depeche Mode-styled "Grey In Grey" may be best for a club's gloomy dance floor, but the tribal drumming and haunting guitar solo on the sweeping "Desire Lasts Forever" stands as this work's finest moment.
For a 30-minute disc, "Frozen" manages to stick with a listener for quite a while after a listening. The gimmicky Trent Reznor and mascara-laden Marilyn Manson fanatics can have their equally gimmicked Goth. But that individual in the corner knows the sounds that make this genre so gorgeous, and Girls Under Glass are among the scene's most uplifting. Bill Whiting-Mahoney, Technopunk Music and Blue Dog Press
The cult band presents a new mini CD released, as the previous CD, by their new label Van Richter Records from USA. 6 compositions of pure gothic/darkwave/industrial for them and always with their own step. I am really surprised by the quality of these compositions and you could find a Madonna cover song, a track mixed by Bruno Kramm of Das Ich and another song featuring Wolfsheim on vocals. It is a great new mini CD and for those who don't know the band, don't hesitate one second, Girls Under Glass proposes an excellent gothic/darkwave/industrial with pop touches and for those who are fans of the band, don't miss this new mini CD. I am waiting the complete brand new CD and I hope it will have the same quality. (9/10) Fabrice Lefebvre, Dark Wave Zine
Auch die Urgruftis der eineinhalbsten Stunde bringe wieder einmal ein neues Release unters das, was Düster-Stoff angeht, ausgedürrte Volk. Leider sind nur drei neue Sachen auf dieser MCD, da noch ordentlich im Back-Catalogue gewühlt wurde: das exzellente "The bitter end", einer meiner Fav-Tracks von den GUG, "Desire lasts forever" und Don't be afraid" fanden den Weg auf diese Maxi. Mit Sicherheit gute Trax, aber Sammler haben die halt schon... die werden sich aber "Frozen" sowieso zulegen, und für Neueinsteiger sind die drei Songs eine gute Zugabe. Neu auf "Frozen" ist "Grey in grey", garniert mit den unverkennbaren Vocals von Peter Heppner (Wolfsheim), was das Stück gut aufwertet; "Wings" im Remix von Bruno Kramm (Das Ich), was dem Stück durchaus gut tut; und vor allem eine Coverversion des Madonna-Hits "Frozen", das in dieser Fassung als gnadenlos guter Gothic-Hit daherkommt und eigentlich alleine schon den Kauf der MCD rechtfertigt. Ich weiß nicht, ob es "Frozen" in D'land zum Preis einer normalen MCD zu kaufen gibt, falls ja, sollten Gitarren-Goth-Fans aber unbedingt zugreifen! AJR, Wrath - the independent eZine
Jedan od najpoznatijih gothic/inustrial/dark wave bendova Girls Under Glass, ove nas je godine iznenadio novim izdanjem odnosno rijeè je o nekoj vrsti EP-a. Naslovna pjesma je Frozen, obrada velikog Madonninog hita koji po mojem misljenju predstavlja jedan od najboljih Madonninih obrada u ovoj vrsti glazbe. Izuzetno je zanimljiv vokoder efekt koji su Girls Under Glass koristili. Odlièna gothic atmosfera ukomponirana sa prepoznatljivom melodijom i refrenom daje rezultat hit singla. Ostale pjesme na ovom CD-u su nesto starije GUG stvari, ali u novim remix verzijama. Bruno Kramm (Das Ich) je remixirao pjesmu Wings, dok je Peter Heppner (Wolfsheim) posudio svoj glas za pjesmu Grey in grey. Iako Frozen ima samo sest pjesama, to je bez sumnje visoko kvalitetan EP s odliènim odabirom pjesama. Danchi, Elektronskizvuk
I have always considered Girls Under Glass quite obscure and difficult. That is, until I actually heard them. "When I Think About You" changed all that in a few minutes. It may be one of the band's softer creations, but it's still a functional showcase of their basic sound foundation. Synthish rock'n'roll mixed with dark wave and a pinch of goth thrown in for good measure. Emphasis is usually also put on quite clever, catchy choruses. From what I gather, the rock flavoured Madonna cover "Frozen" is the only real new track on this EP. There is an alternate version of "Wings" on there as well, reworked by Bruno Kramm (Das Ich) and a collaboration with Wolfsheim vocalist Peter Heppner, but I think that's an old one as well. Three other tracks from their back-catalogue are included, leaving me somewhat confused. One valid reason for doing this would be to introduce the band to the US public, and I do think this is the case. It does, however, decrease the attraction force of "Frozen" significantly. Niklas Forsberg, Release Music Magazine
"Van Richter has become one of the leading alternative metal labels over the years and Girls Under Glass is one of their top acts together with the mighty industrial revolutionaries of Testify. Even though there are lots of industrial and techno sounds on this recording there is a strong metal feeling to it. It starts off nicely with an interesting cover of Madonna's radio hit "Frozen". Since this is one of the most beautiful songs ever made I'm sad to say that Girls Under Glass doesn't really do the song the justice it deserves. The second track "Wings" is a great one with a wonderful melody and soothing female vocals of top quality. The rest of the album consists of thick guitar walls, distorted voices, good male vocals, beautiful melodies and lots of electronics and samples. The good thing about Girls Under Glass is that whether you're a fan of radio music, metal, industrial or gothic music there is a fair chance you will fall in love with their very unconventional but very intrigueing sound. Their music is abstract and almost impossible to describe accurately in words. It simply needs to be listened to." (7.5/10) Vincent Eldefors, Tartrean Desires
Oh well. This is a bit different kind of stuff. Whilst Equilibrium was highly acclaimed by both, those into metal and those into goth/industrial, I doubt if the same fate awaits Frozen. Actually its not a full-length effort, but a mini-CD comprised of a reworked tune originally performed by Madonna (surprised?) as well as five more remixes. If anyones willing to know what songs have been tortured this way, these are Wings and Desire Lasts Forever off Equilibrium CD, Bitter End off Firewalker, Grey In Grey off Darius and Dont Be Afraid off Christus. I don't have an idea what was the sense (if there was any) in coming up with a mini-CD full of remixes, but as far as I am acquainted with this scene, this kind of things happen pretty often. Nevertheless, Frozen appears as highly enjoyable piece of soothing yet imaginative cross between EBM, goth and mild industrial. Comparisons? Back off, man! GIRLS UNDER GLASS is an inalienable part of history of this music, therefore I consider comparing this trio to anyone else a bit of insult. A must for those into the kind of music, I suppose. Check out for those who are not (I assume ;)). rating: 5,5/6 Herr Stalhammar, Vae Solis Webmagazine
Personally, this isn't my cup of tea. However, objectively, Girls Under Glass delivers a nice, yet short album here. It's merely 30 minutes long, including six songs. For those of you who haven't been able to hear their first release, Nightmares, Girls Under Glass perform an industrialized form of gothic music with a lot of electronics and programming. This German band consists of Zaphor (Volker Zacharias) on vocals and guitars, Hauke Harms electronics, and Axel Ermes computers, bass and loops.
Not unexpectedly, Frozen, is introduced by an unique remix of Madonna's hit. Smooth strings layers and electronic effects fill out their industrial soundscape. With the use of heavy guitar chords and straight forward programming, this is a more exciting remix than the original. Not to mention Zaphor's vocal lines which is not bad at all; very suitable for their dreamy and floating sound. I don't have any objections to the production. It's clean and does bring forth all the details in their music.
The second track, Wings, is my favorite. Actually, Bruno Kramm (Das Ich), is the man behind this nice remix. I like the accompaniment between the strings and synth clarinett (or whatever sound Bruno uses). It's a very blue and dismal track. The name behind the beautiful female vocals isn't mentioned anywhere, however, this is something we should hear more of; these lines fit perfect to a floating and dreamy sound.
'Grey in Grey' is the result of collaboration with the known European synth pop band Wolfsheim. Also worth mentioning is the third track, The Bitter End, which is taken from the Firewalker angst single. If you're into a dark and dreamy kind of gothic synth pop with heavily use of industrial and electronic effects, Girls Under Glass might be the band you should check out. Rating: 4.5/6 Marius, Valgalder Webzine
First release from both Girls Under Glass and the Van Richter label in a while, the Frozen single should finally gain some recognition within the North American audience. But this isn't because of the cover of the popular Madonna's song as Frozen is a predictable electro-goth version with loud guitars and deep vocals that while re-interpreting the song note per note, adds nothing to it; but it should certainly get a certain club success. The new GUG's material found in Frozen is less goth-laden than expected, focussing a lot more on electronics added with a synthpop flavor. The most successful track here is Grey Is Grey featuring a collaboration with Wolfsheim's Peter Heppner; a clever synthpop track that perfectly merge both GUG and Wolfsheim's sounds together. Both The Bitter End and Don't Be Afraid are solid electro-goth tracks with enough electronics and a great dose of dark emotional orchestral elements to please both crowds. Surprisingly, the remix of Wings by Das Ich plays in a synthetic ethereal field featuring some nice female vocals reminiscent of a more energetic early Love Is Colder Than Death. Save for the unnecessary cover, Frozen is a great effort from Girls Under Glass and this hopefully should bring them more North American fans; something they truly need. Final Man/Francois Joron, Electroage
After two years of waiting, we have something new and excellent from this very dynamic German group. With their EP Frozen, they provide us with such a huge range of musical influences, genres and their wonderful talent. This cd jumps from one end of the spectrum to the other with its grinding guitars on one track, ebm rhythms and synths in other tracks and just the shear power that Girls Under Glass is famous for. The cover of Madonna's song "Frozen" is real treat. I've never been a huge fan of Madonna, but this rendition is awesome. Starting off with the synths and slow percussion that builds up to the powerful grinding guitars with the vocoded vocals underneath. The chorus jumps out at you with the guitars and Zaphor's powerfulvoice that fans have come to enjoy over the years. The next track is a remix of "Wings" (appearing on Equilibrium) by Bruno Kramm of Das Ich. This really surprised me, because when I saw the credits I figured it would be a more hard-driving mix, but it is quite tranquile which mixes nice with un-named female vocals that appear on this song. A highlight to this album is the very under-played song "The Bitter End" which also appears on the Firewalker album. This track is possibly one of the most emotionally powerful tracks recorded by this group. It is a real treat to have it on this EP for those that don't have the harder-edged import album. "Desire Lasts Forever" (appearing on Equilibrium)is the next track that keeps that dark, brooding feeling. The excellent bass loops and synths, along with the mellow percussion all fused together with the dark, distorted vocals make this short song a masterpiece. "Grey In Grey" is treat for synthpop fans of Wolfsheim because it features Peter Heppner on vocals. This is a nice rendition, putting aside the grinding guitars and toning down to that nice synthpop sound. "Don't Be Afraid" (appearing on Christus) marks the finale for this 30 minute EP. This low-toned, slower and more laid back track features again the un-named female vox on backup. It makes for a fine ending to a nice EP. Jacob Bogedahl, Gothic Paradise
I admit I have never been well familiar with the European goth/industrial scene and "Frozen" is the first GUG output that I've listened so far. I didn't expect much from it, however I was pleasantly surprised after having given it a listen. I won't even mention that all technical thingies here are executed at top notch level, therefore I'll underline solely the musical content. The material on this MCD is extremely versatile, varying from almost harsh industrial parts to pop-like synth passages. The most impressive and enjoyable track here is doubtlessly "Frozen", which is actually a Madonna (!!!) cover. It's also the heaviest one. All in all, "Frozen" strikes as an original work and I invoke all open minded individuals to give it a listen. It might not stun you, but at least it'll grant you some positive emotions. By the way, this MCD was executed in collaboration with such bands as DAS ICH and WOLFSHEIM. Rating: 8/10 Krasniy, Fortitude zine
Although this Hamburg based trio has been around for well over a decade with a multitude of albums released, I was introduced to this band when Van Richter released Nightmares. Frozen offers six songs covering electro-industrial, gothic, darkwave genres that will enthuse fans. The opening track "Frozen," a cover from Madonna off her Ray Of Light album is delightful, and I am sure the queen of pop will agree. "Wings" re-mixed by Bruno Kramm of Das Ich is very Kraftwerk like in sound added with an ethereal aura and sultry female vocals courtesy of Sandra Bammer. The energy is felt through with the wholeness of "The Bitter End" while the vocals courtesy of the synth pop group Wolfsheim on "Grey In Grey" is one of the best songs on the record. "Don't Be Afraid" has a more somber darkwave presence with female vocals, and the last track "Desire Lasts Forever," offers warm guitar heaviness with goth like female vocals looming in the distance. This 6-song release just about 30 minutes in length is delightful and will appeal to industrial and goth heads alike. I recommend it ! Morrigan Black, Delirium Magazine
Two years after the last album comes out the new cd of an historic band like Girls Under Glass, and what do you get? Thirty minutes of remixes, a cover and new versions of old songs! Ok, Madonna's "Frozen" is well rendered, much more frozen (exactly) and aggressive than the original one, perfect for the dance floors, and Bruno Kramm from Das Ich remixes very well "Wings" (taken, as "Desire Lasts Forever", from the previous full length "Equilibrium"). Also "The Bitter End", "Grey In Grey" (with vocals by Peter Heppner from Wolfsheim) and "Don't Be Afraid" are good songs, yet I can't help but think: is that all? I can't say much about an album that is based upon already known material. The shortness of the album and the existence of two official "Best Of", "Exitus" (1996) and "Nightmares" (1999), prevent me from considering "Frozen" a true "greatest hits". The bio would like to sell it as a more accessible Nine Inch Nails's "Broken", but in my opinion it's just a commercial operation. If you want a complete discography of the band, go and buy it, but I remain perplexed....Sauron, Babylon Magazine
GUG finally release their first US single, their much-vaunted cover of Madonna's 'Frozen', and it is, without a doubt, too late. When their "Nightmares" compilation was first aimed at the US market in '99, there was a chance it would do something for them. It established them as a band with a strong and enduring standing in the European darkwave/EBM scene and pointed to a bit of dancefloor cred to come. Since then, they've been completely overtaken by the Apoptygma-led techno-EBM assault on the States. 'Frozen' sounds dated, a retro, rather than modern, EBM take on the dark pop song. Much the same is to be said of the other five tracks - 'Wings' is an atmospheric Das Ich remix where it should really be a banging Assemblage 23 mix. Then there's 'The bitter end' from '97's "Firewalker", 'Desire lasts forever' from '99's "Equilibrium", 'Grey in Grey' from '92's "Darius" and 'Don't be afraid' from '93's "Christus" - what the hell are they doing releasing MORE back-catalogue stuff when they need to come up with some new material? Unless they release something a lot more up-to-date and absolutely breathtaking, GUG have just consigned themselves to the history books. Girl the Bourgeois Individualist, Sordid magAZine
Girls Under Glass's album Frozen begins with a Madonna cover.You get three guesses as to which Madonna song this is.... The album is a mixture of light, melancholic synthpop and subdued guitar solos. I am not a fan of electric guitars, but the music should be listenable even to electro-purists. Well, except for maybe the fourth track, Desire Lasts Forever. The guitars do build into that mosquito sound I so dislike....The music is a mixture of treated male vox, clear male vox, and soaring choral female vox. Track five, Grey is Grey, features the soothing vocals of Peter Heppner from Wolfsheim. The only new song on this album is Frozen. The rest of the tracks are treatments of older Girls Under Glass songs, possibly being re-released in hopes to garner new North American fans. I think the ploy worked; I'd never really listened to them before, but I'll soon be playing them on my radio show. - The ShanMonster, The ShanMonster Webzine
Mit "Frozen" veröffentlichen Girls Under Glass die erste Maxi-CD aus ihrem neuen Album "Minddiver". Lange hat es gedauert, bis man die Freigabe für die Veröffentlichung hatte, doch als diese erteilt worden ist, konnte die Band eine der wohl gewagtesten Coverversionen aller Zeiten endlich auch der Öffentlichkeit zugänglich machen. Harte Elektrosounds, gepaart mit ebensolchen Gitarrenriffs knallen mit gigantischer Energie durch die Boxen direkt in die Ohren des Hörers und nehmen diesen mit auf eine Reise durch bisher unentdeckte Musikwelten. Denn auf der uns vorliegenden Maxi-CD befinden sich neben dem Titeltrack noch fünf weitere Stücke. Bei allen Songs bestimmt die Musik die jeweiligen Stücke und der Gesang ist lediglich - zumeist auch noch - schwach im Hintergrund zu hören. Da Girls Under Glass es aber auch durchaus verstehen, mittels der Töne die Fans in ihren Bann zu ziehen, wird sich dieser Tonträger vieler Verehrer erfreuen.

[With "Frozen" the Girls under Glass published their first Maxi-CD from their album "Minddiver". It did take a long time to get the release for publication, but once it was granted one of the most daring conversations of all times was finally made accessible to the public. Hard electro-sounds, mixed with similar guitar chords banging with gigantic energy through the boxes directly into the ears of the listener and take him to a trip into so far undiscovered music worlds. On the Maxi-CD there are five more pieces, besides the title track. With all songs the music defines the pieces and the singing is just heard faintly in the background. As the Girls under Glass are able to capture their listeners with their tunes, this album will find a lot of admirers. ] - Ingo, Re-Flexion Webzine


A six track cd featuring Frozen (Ray Of Light) by Madonna is covered here opening with dark strings and chorus lyrics performed via vocoder, which has a nice touch to the timbre programming. The track then erupts into the guitar driven GUG Rock-Goth sound, further into the track the chorus vocals are performed with angst while the verses are processed with vocoder. Style wise, this track brings nothing new to the GUG sound, but they cover the song well in their typical Rock-Goth style. Wings (Das Ich Mix), opens with a lot of percussive synth tones, the track sounds quite Synth-Pop in composition and sound generation, with a female vocalist. The Bitter End, with it's sub-bass rumbling sequence introduces a Frank Tovey-Pete Murphy vocal style from GUG vocalist Volker Zacharias, this is the best I have heard this guy sing, a vocal style that he does very well. Musically, this track is much more Dark-Synth-Pop with an uplifting dynamic chorus. Here GUG break away from the Rock-Goth sound and prove they are best at creating Dark-Synth-Pop. I really enjoyed this song, and felt it was the strongest on this release, and would suggest they work more with this type of music-style genre, and leave the Classic-Rock-Goth approach in their past. Desire Lasts Forever, has a very strong John Foxx feel to the vocal style, again GUG return to the Rock-Goth style, which I feel is out-dated by their more creative approach to Dark-Synth-Pop. Grey In Grey (Wolfsheim Duet), sounds like a complete merger of GUG and Wolfsheim is terms of sound generation and composition. I felt this track lacked a musical hook, or namic musical energy. Don't be Afraid, has quite an ambient feel to it, a laid back pulse of rhythm and bassline, with minimal melodies. Again, I'm reminded of Fad Gadget circa (Sleep - Electro Induced Mix). Darrel Hughes, Elektra Webzine
Girls Under Glass blew the gates off the drome a couple issues back with a searing industrial techno take on Carpenter's Halloween theme (from their first North American release, Nightmares). Mind you, the metrical churn and relentlessness we dug on that album gives way to a more lucid wet dream paralysis of their latest effort. Basically, Frozen is a glorified single which features five old tracks and a sprawling guitar-driven cover of the recent Madonna single. You have to look really closely at the album cover to notice the near invisible image of a skull bleeding out from the cobalt clouds and seemingly endless glacier tundra. The overall vibe suspends subconscious sorrow in favour of awakening optimism, playing the two off in mostly light goth arrangements, with a slice of ambient flavour. Fans of darkwave or synth-laden industrial should check out the remix of Wings by Bruno Kramm of Das Inch(RM#23). And while Don't Be Afraid works beautifully in ambient melodies and downy layered vocals from singer Zaphor (and an uncredited female voice), the remaining four mostly indifferent goth rock re-orchestrations feel like a overly reflective step backwards - TD, Rue Morgue Magazine
Girls Under Glass have been one of the most influentialgothic/darkwave and industrial bands on the underground scene for the past two decades. Well, I still can't seem to get into this style of music because, I can not relate to their darkwave substance. This style of music is ideally suited for movie soundtracks and, if that's the case, I have no problem with it. But, for me to have to sit here and listen to it...I find it highly annoying. I guess you have to have a thing for this style of music in order to appreciate it. Sad to say, I don't have it. About the only thing that caught my eye on this release is the cover version of Madonna's "Frozen," which is a dark aggro guitar driven version that admittedly is better than the original version. If you are a fan of NIN, Skinny Puppy or even Bauhaus - Girls Under Glass is a band you'd be interested in, check it out. - Paul Autry, Ballbuster Magazine
Germany's Girls Under Glass have been around a long time, 15 years, and their musicianship shows it. They play a tight, no-nonsense brand of music that has a little bit of everything to appease industrial, goth and metal fans alike. The demolishing guitars give way to screeching, siren solos while classical piano and violins are programmed in and used precisely for that "ambience" effect. Singer, Zaphor's voice can be stern or smooth, flowing alongside the cool, crystalline keyboards. The obligatory Mr. Roboto (Styx, anyone?) vocal effects and distortion are here, too. While this CD only has six tracks on it, each one is an epic voyage into a musical trance. - Moe Wyoming, MK Ultra Magazine
Last year I received the first U.S. release of multi-decade artists Girls Under Glass for review here at Legends. The name of the CD was Nightmares and I enjoyed it so much I went and contacted frontman Volker Zacharius for an interview. Both of these items ran in past issues of Legends Magazine, so I'm not going to spend too much time talking about the band's history here, because I already did that. I still have Nightmares in my personal collection, and I still listen to it somewhat regularly.
After a year and a half (or so) wait, Volker Zacharius, Axel Armes and Hauke Harms return as Girls Under Glass and bring us the six track recording Frozen. While Nightmares spanned their multi-decade career and had examples of their work throughout it, Frozen shows a new frontier for the band. GuG are moving in a much more melodic direction - somewhat lighter, but still with an edge. Frozen also has a good collection of helper artists that joined them for remixes, vocals and other assorted things. The result is a great disc, with hints of their guitar-driven past but touches of smooth electronic melodies.
Opening with the recreation of Madonna's Frozen, which gives this EP its name. Girls Under Glass keep the original flavor of Madonna's original version, but slice it up and offer it as an industrial ballad. It retains its popular appeal and it wouldn't surprise me one bit if GuG break into mainstream radio with this one. Wings, with beautiful vocals by Sandra Bammer, gets remixing help from Das Ich's Bruno Kramm. The track is light and fluffy, with a swift rhythm lacking a pounding beat that instead remains floaty. Sandra's vocals further lift you as the track progresses. Grey In Grey picks up the pace using the chunky guitars we've come to expect from Girls Under Glass. However, it's tempered with smoother melodies and a quick up-front rhythm. Vocals are helped along by Peter Heppner of Wolfsheim fame, in a great male duet with Volker.
Girls Under Glass' latest shows some great changes within the style of the band. They've moved from heavy industrial stomps to smooth, sometimes swirly, excellently arranged melodic rock that retains the heavy edge that I've come to enjoy. Frozen is a surprise from an act I've come to associate heaviness with - but at the same time, remembering such past great tracks as their remake of Carpenter's Halloween score, I really shouldn't be. The melody-arrangement talent was already there, just not fully explored until Frozen. Marcus Pan, Legends Magazine
Que dire du Frozen EP? Que la reprise metallisée du titre eponyme de Madonna est plutot sympa, que les trois titres d'electro-dark et de metal-indus du pauvre qui la suivent sentent le moisi et que seule la nouvelle versiob de "Grey in Grey", un des meilleurs titres de Darius en duo avec Peter Heppner de Wolfsheim, fut capable de nous donner un debut d'erection. C'est pas gai... Guillaume Michel, D - Side Magazine
Gothic industrial trio Girls Under Glass offers up six songs on their second U.S. release, Frozen. Starting things off is a cover of the Material Girl's semi-classic hit (and title track), which isn't so bad; it's pretty good actually, but I'm a junkie for a good cover tune. Things progress at a typically dark electronic pace, but I get a bit disillusioned by the third track ("The Bitter End"). At this point, the CD unfortunately becomes background music. This song and goth metal ballad "Desire Lasts Forever," with its simple four-chord progressions and guitar fills, is a definite low point. They get me back with "Grey in Grey," though, an upbeat, less guitar-laden number with vocalsthankfully donated by Wolfsheim, so all is not entirely lost on this listen. Coreen Wolanski, Exclaim Magazine
Romantic, Radio-Friendly Electro Dance
Including a cover of Madonna's song "Frozen" is perhaps a good bet to help boost any band into heavy college chart rotation these days. However, Girls Under Glass may have also made it to the CMJ top 25 due to a few of their other catchy songs on this EP, not to mention the fact that they are a highly-respected German electro-industrial trio who have been together for over a decade. Intricate programming and airy female vocals combine on "Wings" (mixed by Bruno Kramm of Das Ich) for a clubby track awash in light loops and romance. A certain 80's nostalgia maybe felt in tracks such as "The Bitter End", yet in this case, this is not a negative thing. Undeniably, interesting effects, an epic rock richness and thoroughly hummable, well composed dance tracks are this band's strength. Cleo, The Sentimentalist
The latest EP from GUG offers seven tracks (some older, some newer) and includes Peter Heppner (Wolfsheim) on Grey in Grey, a remix of Bruno Kramm (Das Ich) with excellent female vox, and a cover of Madonna, all arguably the best pieces on this CD. There is variation here, spanning from goth-rock to industrial and metal hybrids all in a short period of time, making this an interesting listen that you want to come back to repeatedly. My only gripe is that the CD should be longer, especially since the tracks were not all new. I curious what GUG have to offer next. - Rev. Daryl Litts, Altercation Magazine
Behind the dark, gloomy façade of an album like Frozen lay open wounds, emotional scarring and a vulnerability that doesn't hide itself as much as you'd believe. Frozen, Germany's Girls Under Glass' first semi-nationwide release in the U.S., is a brilliant reflection of a mature Goth band at it's apex; from the ambience of "Desire Lasts Forever," to the finely honed cover of Madonna's "Frozen," the entire length of the E.P. is a decadent ration of emotional turmoil. The band doesn't overreach in their ambition, rather they rely on the deep melodies that signify a true-to-form Goth standard, while singer Zaphor drives the points home with a muted intensity. With vocal contributions from Wolfsheim on the vigorous dance track "Grey on Grey," and remixes from Das Ich's Bruno Kramm on "Wings," some older songs are revamped for the new century, though the Girl's sound is one that carries itself along through the tumultuous rock dynamic easier than broken hearts carry themselves to the next painful moment. - Mike Faucher, Mic Stand Magazine
This is the latest CD from Girls Under Glass, with, you guessed it, a cover of the Madonna song 'Frozen' and some other goodies, working out more as an EP than a single. I hate the original Madonna song, as it marks a period where she gave up daring music and style and gave in to corporate radio-friendly music safe for her aging yuppy fanbase of the 80's. But this seems to breathe life into a otherwise pointless song. If I didn't know any better I would actually check into the Madonna version. My favorite on this would be 'Wings' with it's ethereal vocals and gliding whistles and dance tracks. That one gets a good deal of rotation in my CD player,especially walking around town. Also the Das Ich remix of 'The Bitter End' and Peter Heppner on 'Grey On Grey' (he's everywhere nowadays!) definitely don't hurt either. This one got a few rotations in my CD player in a row! Girls Under Glass has always been known around my place to put out quality work,and this is a good precerper to their new CD,"Equilibrium" coming soon. If you're a Project Pitchfork fan this is the band that inspired them most. Also check out REC, their project with Peter Spilles of Project Pitchfork. Rating: 10. - Shaun Hamilton, Chain DLK Magazine
Girls under Glass have released two singles, a live album, and full length in the past three years, yet inexplicably we've received their 2001 "Frozen" from Van Richter to review. Better late than never I guess. "Frozen" contains a cover of the Ray of Light - era Madonna track as well as a handful of older material. "Frozen", the cover is easily the track. While the original had plenty of boom-shaka-laka to get those goth girl gyrating on the dancefloor, The Girls Under Glass version is uninspired, guitar fueled rehash that sounds like the band gave up on the concept midway through. An iota of tongue-and-cheek might have saved this track, but there is none, and consequently the track drowns under the weight of its misplaced seriousness. The Das Ich remix of "Wings", in contrast is a stellar darkwave dancefloor swirler that features the angelic voice of Sandra Bammer. "Grey on Grey", which features vocals by Wlfsheim's Peter Heppner has an intriguing rawness - it was recorded in 1992, well before Heppner learned to finesse his unique vocal style - but ultimately sounds alittle dated. "Don't be Affraid" is a delicate elektro number that, while hampered by a clunky chorus is otherwise enjoyable. "Frozen" is ultimately an odd collection of tracks, too abbreviated to be a best of GUG. However fans of the band will certainly want this EP in order to complete collections. - Veejay, Industrial Nation Magazine
The Girls Under Glass release of Frozen through Van Richter Records is yet another display of this trios extraordinary talent. The Frozen EP contains a handful of exceptionally executed remixes including a collaboration with Bruno Kramm of Das Ich, and additional vocals from Peter Heppner of Wolfsheim and Sandra Bammer. The mood is dark and very intriguing. The programming is precision. - TF, Nadamucho Webzine
The title "Frozen" fits the material on this release perfectly. This is a CD which knows no time limit. It is perfect in every way. My personal favorites are "Grey in Grey". A beautifully crafted song with vocals by Peter Heppner of Wolfshiem. An unforgettable female vocal track can be found on " Wings ", which is flawlessly remixed by Bruno Kramm of Das Ich . This is a must have not only for those who appreciate the gothic genre but also for those who are deeply drowning in a sea of Synthpop. - Vin K-otic of Normailty, Real Industrial Radio
I wouldn't say I've been a fan, but I have been a moderate Girls Under Glass listened for some 5 years now. So I am already quite familiar with their softer approach to EBM where most artists I listen to on a regular basis take the harsher route (see: :wumpscut:, Velvet Acid Christ, Psyclon 9). I must admit to me that this album was a pleasant surprise to receive as I haven't heard this album despite its 2000 release. Girls Under Glass play a slightly melancholy style of EBM mixed with your usual darkwave influences, but with some blatant distorted guitar work thrown in for extra measure. The band themselves hail from the large city of Hamburg in Germany. I don't need to go through the usual history of their city like I normally do primarily because of the general knowledge already put down for Hamburg. However, if you've heard other German groups in the EBM scene, you probably have no clue what Girls under Glass sounds like. Many German artists take a very off-the-wall approach to this genre, using almost Ministry-worship at their disposal for their purposes. Girls Under Glass pulls it a step backwards and focuses more on the song construction rather than intensity. That's not to say that there aren't intense moments on Frozen, since The Bitter End in particular is quite full of tension. However, they really do put forth a kind of sophistication that is no longer often seen in the EBM scene, especially in their area of the world. Granted I don't understand their need for the Madoona cover, especially to base a release off the song, but their intentions are their own. I'm not particularly fond of mainstream music but they've always managed to avoid touching that side of the EBM world. So, when it comes down to it, this isn't exactly the greatest EBM release to see the light of day. It's definitely a solid effort on the lighter side of dancable gothy electronica. The only complaint I really have is how downbeat most of the album is. By the end it was getting slightly tedious. It would be nice to hear some more moving tracks from them in the future. This on'e's definitely worth supporting if you're a die-hard EBM fan. - Sage, Heathen Harvest

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