First there was nothing, then there was Belladonna. After rising the night, they now enlight the world of rock again with their 3rd longplayer „And then there was light“. Belladonna’s previously CD „The noir album“ in 2009 gained wide national and international interest. Even more: the band managed to create their very own genre „rock noir“ – melodramatic, sensual and powerful rock’n’roll empowerd by a rattling, female voice.

„And then there was light“ features 20 brand new tracks, opening with a strong, slowly starter (Last night I died) before it flawlessly merge into “Moring star blues that gently shakes you awake. Solemn it is carring on the line until a stomping chorus pumping up your blood. The rough, dirty rock sonor of Luana Caraffa (comparable to female fronted German rockband like Guano Apes or Die Happy in their beginnings) marks the epicenter in each song. Contrary to the mentioned bands, Belladonnas strength lies in their [gedrosselt] manner. Instead of being just loud and happy-sunshine partytracks, something darker marks the cores and swings along on the emotional lines. Characteristical for all songs is their quite similar and simple structure. Starting off gently and then breaking over you like a freakwave.

Ballades like „I feel life“ or „Song for Tania“ directly hit you heart. You can literally sense all he pain, love and everything in between while listening to those powerful pieces. Aswell as more uptempo tracks like „Stiletto“, “be my star” or “Damn your love.“ are floating over you with their melodic, dramatical emotions. „My sweet nepathe“ captures with remarkable, quite well known riffs in the background which are being rearranged in a new, extraordinary order. Extend with a catchy hookline and heartbreaking vocals it’s reinventing itself and becomes a unique, new hymn. Short cutted tracks (playtime between 0:45 and 1:30 minutes) are used for additional “theme guiding”, i.e. “The Origin of all evil”, “And then there was night” and “ Phosphorus rising” Common to all those songs are their minimalisit order: some soft whispering; spoken parts underlined with a simple guitar or just plain music – kept to the absolute minimum.

Even though a sort of repeating, constant music sheme comes through after a while, raising a torn feeling of being dragged in and loosing attention, still all titles manage to differ in a way from each other, keeping their own, deep core. Sometimes it’s the fragile, senitive atmosphere, sometimes it’s the hard, cruel reality that’s shaking you up. Passionate and honest. Nothing more, nothing less. But overall calm sounds are dominating the general mood. The final fades out as it begans: very gentle. The title track takes it chance for some last words, brighten up the end.