''The inexperienced Spiral Traveller (aus dem Schoß der Hölle ward geboren die Totensonne)'' (

German German(s) may refer to: * Germany (of or related to) **Germania (historical use) * Germans, citizens of Germany, people of German ancestry, or native speakers of the German language ** For citizens of Germany, see also German nationality law **Ger ...

: "from the Womb of Hell was born the Sun of the Dead") is the third album by

darkwave Dark wave (also typeset as darkwave) is a music genre that emerged from the new wave and post-punk movement of the late 1970s. Dark wave compositions are largely based on minor key tonality and introspective lyrics and have been perceived as be ...

band

Sopor Aeternus & the Ensemble of Shadows Sopor Aeternus & the Ensemble of Shadows (Latin: ''sopor aeternus'' "eternal slumber"; also referred to or stylized as Sopor Aeternus or Sopor) is a darkwave musical project based in Frankfurt, founded in 1989 by a multidiciplinary artist who us ...

, and was released in 1997. ''The inexperienced Spiral Traveller'' continued the Renaissance- and

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-inspired sound of ''" Todeswunsch - Sous le soleil de Saturne"'', but with tighter arrangements and the re-introduction of drum machines. A limited edition of 3,000 copies was initially available alongside the regular edition, and the album has been re-issued at least twice since.

Overview

''The inexperienced Spiral Traveller'' was the first album to set the sound of Sopor in stone, with its tighter, more expressive arrangements and full utilization of

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and brass. The musical palette was enhanced by the edition of actual violin, cello, and

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players, where

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had been previously used. Drum machines were also integrated with the live percussion on several songs, and production values were at their highest yet with full use of studio techniques, as heard on opening track "Sylla'borêal". Despite this,

Anna-Varney Cantodea Sopor Aeternus & the Ensemble of Shadows (Latin: ''sopor aeternus'' "eternal slumber"; also referred to or stylized as Sopor Aeternus or Sopor) is a darkwave musical project based in Frankfurt, founded in 1989 by a multidiciplinary artist who us ...

has publicly stated her distaste for the album, stating:

''Hmm... Well... Let's put it this way: ''The inexperienced Spiral Traveller,'' has been the worst album I have ever recorded... And after that... It slowly got better.'' Interview
with Francesco Pascoletti Viale Mazzini (1999)

Similar comments were made about the accompanying remix album, ''"

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"''. The subject matter of the album mainly deals with the isolation brought on by Cantodea's illnesses through life. It has been stated in interviews that one illness nearly blinded her permanently, and much of the imagery of the album comes from that episode. The identity of the "loyal friend" mentioned is unknown (although many fans now believe this reference is primarily to depression), but on the later-released '' "La Chambre D'Echo" - Where the dead Birds sing'', Cantodea states that ''"this once so loyal friend ..., he's not that welcome anymore."''Lyrics t
"We have a Dog to exercise"
/ref> The song "Birth - Fiendish Figuration" was re-recorded for this album, while "May I kiss your Wound ?" would be re-recorded for '' "Songs from the inverted Womb"''. In 2004, ''The inexperienced Spiral Traveller'' was re-issued with entirely new artwork, including radically new art and liner notes. The new artwork emulates a tourism package, including a passport and the photographs from the older version encapsulated in

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borders. The back cover also featured a mock

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for the Synchro-Box, quoted to be "the best device to travel the continuum". She rerecorded some songs from this album on her 2018 album

The Spiral Sacrifice ''The Spiral Sacrifice'' is the 13th album by Sopor Æternus & the Ensemble of Shadows. The album was released on February 8, 2018 on four different formats: on compact disc format with 128-page hardcover book (limited to 1500 copies); on 3x12" bl ...

Track listing

Personnel

* Una Fallada: Violin * Matthias Eder: Cello * Gerrit Fischer: Guitar * Constanze Spengler:

Lute A lute ( or ) is any plucked string instrument with a neck and a deep round back enclosing a hollow cavity, usually with a sound hole or opening in the body. It may be either fretted or unfretted. More specifically, the term "lute" can ref ...

: Vocals, all other instruments and programming

References

{{DEFAULTSORT:Inexperienced Spiral Traveller, The 1997 albums Sopor Aeternus and The Ensemble of Shadows albums