This album is based on the music I have originally written for the much acclaimed audio book "Kokain". At first the newly arranged tracks were only intended to be supporting music for a TV-documentary about life and death of the german poet Walter Rheiner (1895 - 1925).
But after much listening and re-arranging, I eventually found that the music on its own very well reflected the tragical story of Walter Rheiner, the man who had called himself "The Sombre Poet".

Compared to the audio book, the classical themes of the music now become clearer to the listener:

The SOS code - the constant cry for help of this forlorn being, always present underneath the surface, but he is unable to articulate this need of help and friendship- a musical theme, which can be found in the french horns section throughout the album.

The two "poet" themes - the first one reflects the gloomy, brooding darkness of the misanthropist, a drug addict with constant paranoic attacks - this type of "Wagnerian" theme is often played by the double bass section or the french horns.
The second one is the melancholic theme of the sad and broken man, who knows that he has failed in his aim of becoming a part of the world around him and who realizes that there is no way out for him - this theme is mainly played by a single english horn or a single cello.

Often these 2 themes are mingled with each other, thus illustrating the constant change of mood.

Of course there is much more to discover - a lot of dark electronic soundscapes, symbolizing the merciless big city, which has the poet in its tight grip, unwilling to let him go... and some light melodies, a short glimpse of peace for this restless soul.

In the end, suicide is a redemption - from the drug, from the city and its inhabitants and from being the man he has become.