Audiopile Review: Läuten der Seele, the solo project of Brannten Schnüre’s Christian Schoppik, closes out his trilogy and returns to Hands in the Dark after issuing the second installment of the series via World of Echo just last year. Somewhat oddly, we suppose, it’s the most accessible piece of the triptych, Schoppik largely utilizing classical music for his sample-heavy collage, moving away from the folk-centred sources of previous outings. As is customary with Läuten releases, the two sides play out as uninterrupted pieces, though there are notable passages that rise and fall in the hazy memoria, Schoppik’s deft re-construction of the album’s many working parts keeps the momentum of each side flowing in an ever-evolving mass. Looped strings peel across ancient bells and warbling woodwinds, while gothic choral snippets emerge from choppy depths and whirring distortion, the granular and hissy sound of the sample sources bleeding through the mix like faded fingerprints of the past. It’s in league with the type of blurred nostalgia hypnosis employed by The Caretaker, though Schoppik’s palette here has the patina of a distinctly Germanic mythology. An awe-inspiring finale to his trio of releases, not to be missed by fans already immersed in the Läuten/Brannten Schnüre universe. Edition of 500 and sure to sell out. Best to snatch one now before you have to feed the sharks down the line.

Christian Schoppik aka Läuten der Seele brings his “Water” trilogy to a close with his new album ‘Die Reise zur Monsalwäsche’ (The Journey to Monsalwäsche) following up ‘Die Mariengrotte als Trinkwasseraufbereitungsanlage’ (2022, Hands in the Dark) and ‘Ertrunken im seichtesten Gewässer’ (2023, World of Echo). This final instalment takes the listener on a sacred odyssey searching for the fulfilment of one’s (or is it his own?) spiritual destiny, from beginning (‘Entschluss, Abschied & Aufbruch’ / ‘Decision, Farewell & Departure’) to end (‘Verirrung, Ankunft & Erlösung’ / ‘Losing Way, Arrival & Salvation’).

While the compositional technique of this opus still relies primarily on samples and altered audio-collages, each chapter of the trilogy was intentionally created from very different sources. The present collection is arguably less “experimental” than some of Läuten der Seele’s previous works, as classical music takes center stage this time. However the mastery in crafting such magnificent and intriguing narratives sees the simplicity and emotional depth of these sonic mariages become the beauty of it all. Schoppik remains consistent as ever in his creative explorations, and this release feels very much like a culmination of his past projects. “Die Reise zur Monsalwäsche” will probably come to be known as a standout entry in the German artist’s music catalog, showcasing a new facet of his talent.