The musical chapters of DEEP IMAGINATION
Musical development and retrospective
Chapter 4 | Since 2022
New Dark Wave - Collaboration with guitarist Achim von Raesfeld
In 2022 Thorsten Sudler-Mainz made the decision to produce a dark wave album and take over the lead vocals. The collaboration from 2020 with old friend and guitarist Achim von Raesfeld was successfully continued. Since then, he has performed on all tracks and in the videos, while Ann Kareen Mainz sings backing vocals. 2023 saw the release of perhaps the most successful and authentic album "The Children of the Moon", for which a total of four video clips were released. At the release party, DEEP IMAGINATION presented parts of the album live in front of enthusiastic friends, which is to be continued. New material including video clips was released in 2024 and 2025 with “Realm of the Raven” and “Forever and a Day”. The new album "Come to My Pretty Little Garden" was released on 20.03.2026.
DEEP IMAGINATION - "Come To My Pretty Little Garden"
Album / Digital / CD / 43:16 min (BSC Music/Prudence/Zebralution, 2026)
Darkwave / Gothic / Ambient / Artrock
Find confidence in yourself and others, be courageous, surrender to a fascinating, darkly romantic world of emotions. Feel the depth of security through music. That's what DEEP IMAGINATION sings about on “Come to My Pretty Little Garden.”
A DEEP IMAGINATION album inspired by the otherworldly neoclassical darkwave and post-punk of the 80s and heroes such as the great Dead Can Dance. Seven new compositions and a cover version of one of those heroes form a work with which Thorsten Sudler-Mainz manifests the return of romantic darkness to the electronic sound world of DEEP IMAGINATION.
Guest musicians such as guitarist Achim von Raesfeld, singer Ann Kareen Mainz, Leon Mainz (vocals), and Arvid Mainz (trombone) make valuable contributions to the atmospheric music of DEEP IMAGINATION. Once again meticulously crafted by composer and singer Thorsten Sudler-Mainz, the production sounds as if it were cast from a single mold. In the vast and deep soundscapes, the intense and emotional sound of a rag-dun bass horn runs like a sonic thread through the album, accompanied by epic synths, echoing wave guitars, ethnic percussion, and gently evocative vocals.
With the grandiose opener “The Story of a Brave Heart,” the Dead Can Dance cover “Anywhere Out of the World,” the sacred “Ex Anima,” and the Floydian echoes of “Keep Searching and Dreaming,” DEEP IMAGINATION spans a neoclassical ethno-wave arc with “Come To My Pretty Little Garden.”
The concluding long track “No Useless Illusions” transforms into a wistful wave guitar loop towards infinity in the finale.
Album-Linkfire: https://lnk.to/DI_CtMPLG
Album flyer PDF
Album booklet PDF
Song Discriptions PDF
Song-Discriptions:
DEEP IMAGINATION - The Story of a Brave Heart - Song-Discription
The album opener is a metaphor for courage and a story about a brave man. He goes through life with his head held high, full of curiosity and sometimes a little crazy. Musically, the piece is a very gentle track with warm vocals, romantic, dark and inspired by the neoclassical darkwave and post-punk of the 80s. A special musical element is a rag-dun bass horn with its deeply emotional sound.
Listen on Spotify:
https://open.spotify.com/intl-de/track/2nwQYz4xGpWqU2pqFUdFcp?si=084d6a54d2a646e1
DEEP IMAGINATION - Send Me all the Dreams - Song-Discription
As with the DEEP IMAGINATION classic “The Silence of Winterland,” this is a love story. The lovers challenge each other to send each other their deepest dreams. The first line, “Come to My Pretty Little Garden,” says exactly that. Come into my emotional world and let's live and love life together. Wrapped in a darkly romantic and electronic arrangement, “Send Me All the Dreams” is the “secret” single of the album.
Listen on Spotify:
https://open.spotify.com/intl-de/track/1JUTFS4EsIcqXZ3UUZBOY9?si=8600bf699ab245d4
DEEP IMAGINATION - Ad Portam Tenebrarum - Song-Discription
Inspired by a docudrama series about the everyday life of a Roman in the year 80 AD, Thorsten Sudler-Mainz wrote the line “Ad Portam Tenebrarum,” which means “At the Gate of Darkness.” Darkness as a metaphor for access to an otherworldly, darkly romantic soundscape. The wonderful sound of the Roman language, cast into a sacred piece of music. The result is a unique, unheard musical language in the genre of neoclassical darkwave.
Listen on Spotify:
https://open.spotify.com/intl-de/track/0fhX6lBIhNosiRbxA91BR0?si=a54c5a5fabb04c28
DEEP IMAGINATION - Anywhere Out of the World - Song-Discription
DEEP IMAGINATION surprises with a Dead Can Dance cover. “Anywhere Out of the World” first appeared in 1987 on the classic “Within a Realm of a Dying Sun” by the darkwave gods. The idea for it came about when Thorsten Sudler-Mainz was composing on the keyboard and suddenly played the harmonies of this song. He recorded it and only discovered the original a year later, then produced it in his own unique way. It is DEEP IMAGINATION's first cover version ever.
Listen on Spotify:
https://open.spotify.com/intl-de/track/2TqrvAQMXrUbpBwpSvLA6O?si=ba45067e7e26485a
DEEP IMAGINATION - Ex Anima
Ex Anima - From the soul. Music and emotions that come straight from the soul. In choral singing with Leon Mainz, Thorsten Sudler-Mainz sings a sacred-sounding song, which he enriches with smooth bass playing and bass drum in the lower frequencies. Guitarist Achim von Raesfeld flatters the rhythm of Ex Anima with his typical wave guitars and creates a symbiosis of dark wave with classical sounds.
Listen on Spotify:
DEEP IMAGINATION - Keep Searching and Dreaming - Song-Discription
The musical adaptation and bridge to the album opener “The Story of a Brave Heart” becomes a magical Floydian darkwave ambient track and one of the album's highlights. Looping guitar licks form a supporting and soaring soundscape, over which gentle vocals and deep lyrics are laid. A track to drift away to in a golden dream that should never end.
Listen on Spotify:
DEEP IMAGINATION - Only for One Day Song-Discription
A beautifully sad song, carried by a rag-dun bass horn loop. Far-reaching voices addressing a divine being sing of the realization that life is finite and short. As short as a single day. A piece of music like a prayer, carried into eternity by angelic choirs and dreamlike, surreal trumpet and trombone sounds.
Listen on Spotify:
https://open.spotify.com/intl-de/track/2UcF1PUVXeoB8u2RMVr3Ms?si=e5fa9ffbe6894f25
DEEP IMAGINATION - No Useless Illusions Song-Discription
A long track about illusions and how to let them go when they cease to make sense. An ethnic percussion loop carries the piece, on which triumphant brass sections build up and driving bass lines ride along. An arrangement that shines with a dreamlike, meditative middle section reminiscent of Dead Can Dance. For the finale, the piece transforms into a wistful wave guitar loop stretching towards infinity.
Listen on Spotify:
https://open.spotify.com/intl-de/track/0oOVlt0dmd1gQm4DFuvdN9?si=ebe4e30e2efe4b8c
Album-Linkfire: https://lnk.to/DI_CtMPLG
DEEP IMAGINATION - Forever and a Day
Video-Single - BSC Music/Prudence/Zebralution 2025
With the single "Forever and a Day", the German music project DEEP IMAGINATION presents atmospheric gothic rock at its finest. Inspired by 80s acts such as Fields of the Nephilim, The Cure or The Chameleons, the music unfolds a maelstrom effect and invites you into a new sound world of ambient and dark wave.
"Free your own demons with the help of love and free yourself." This is the message that mastermind and singer Thorsten Sudler-Mainz delivers with this new production from the Imagination Studio. In the interplay with Achim von Raesfeld (electric guitar) and singer Ann Kareen Mainz, ‘Forever and a Day’ builds up tension, intensifies atmospherically and leads to a rocking, wave guitar-driven resolution.
Linkfire:
https://lnk.to/DI_FaaD
YouTube Link:
https://youtu.be/JKW6NtaK_ps
Press comments | DEEP IMAGINATION - Forever and a Day
‘This song... could well be described as the ultimate Deep Imagination track, as it embodies their characteristic atmosphere more than any other.’ (In The Heart Of Goth)
‘‘Forever And A Day’... the song breaks free from the classic confines of the gothic cliché and leads to a revelation: darkness can be a precursor to liberation.’ (Saitenkult)
“The German darkwave/ambient rock band Deep Imagination has released a new video single entitled ‘Forever And A Day’. Inspired by 80s acts such as Fields Of The Nephilim, The Cure and The Chameleons.” (Terra Relicta)
‘The irresistible dark wave of Deep Imagination... With their new single ‘Forever and a Day’, Deep Imagination create a varied atmosphere characterised by gothic rock.’ (Orkus!)
DEEP IMAGINATION - Realm of the Raven
BSC Music/Prucence/Zebralution 2024
Single-Information: DEEP IMAGINATION create a sea of emotions full of dark romantic melancholy with the single “Realm of the Raven”.
The title is a metaphor for the unmistakable new sound world of gothic, dark wave and ambient that Thorsten Sudler-Mainz has created with his solo project. Together with guitarist Achim von Raesfeld and singer Ann Kareen Mainz as guests, he takes the style of the album “The Children of the Moon” into new musical spheres.
An enormously soulful dark wave sound reminiscent of the early Dead Can Dance merges into a floydian and anthemic resolution. DEEP IMAGINATION feel at home in the 'Realm of the Raven' and don't want to leave it any time soon.
Press comments "Realm of the Raven"
Linkfire: "Realm of the Raven"
Press comments:
“A fairy-like atmosphere somewhere between cool dark wave and atmospheric ambient with gloomy gothic elements.”(Orkus music magazine)
"The four-minute song begins with drumbeats and echoing vocals....very mysterious and atmospheric....a gothic/dark wave mood....the song gently drifts along in a sweet gloom."(Musikzirkus Magazin)
“On their digital non-album single 'Realm Of The Raven', Deep Imagination celebrate a darkly romantic mix of ambient, dark wave and gothic.” (Empire)
“With ‘Realm of the Raven’, Deep Imagination consolidate their position in the dark wave scene and invite their fans to immerse themselves in the mysterious realm of the raven.”(Medienkonverter)
DEEP IMAGINATION Interview-Story by Orkus Musikmagazin
The Orkus print music magazine, leading German cult magazine for Dark Wave and Gothic, published an interview-story by Claudia Zinn-Zinnenburg about the new video single “Realm of the Raven” in the fall issue.
Excerpt: “Stylistically and musically, the new single is a continuation of the current album ‘The Children of the Moon’ explains Thorsten.”What is the realm of the raven?"It stands as a metaphor for our self-created sound world.It means we have come to stay.After rediscovering my old love of dark wave a few years ago and then being able to win Achim over for my project, it just feels incredibly good and right.The realm of the raven is our home, so to speak”.(Orkus, Fall 2024 issue)
The online magazine Medienkonverter, which is known as “Black, tough and incorruptible”, reports on the new single:
https://www.medienkonverter.de/artikel/deep-imagination-veroeffentlicht-neue-video-single-realm-raven
Review by Stephan Schelle in Musikzirkus Magazin:
DEEP IMAGINATION - "The Children of the Moon" videos
Videos were released for a total of four tracks from the album, which attracted a great deal of attention. The clips are atmospheric, authentic and made with a lot of love and bring the music of DEEP IMAGINATION on stage YouTube directly to the fans.
Here are the links:
Find Your Own Way
https://youtu.be/TVbz5r19TYc?si=7FVMuIMY7uFGtMzN
Make the Moon Appear
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yqgd4RFkisE
No Words to Say
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W-v9ETd1gSA
The Silence of Winterland
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lLkR7BqfBLI
DEEP IMAGINATION - The Children of the Moon
New album (Release date: 19.05.2023)
BSC Music/Prucence/Zebralution 2023
7 tracks / Total playtime 41:17
Album information: Thorsten Sudler-Mainz offers his very own version of Dark Wave with the 6th album of his solo project. With "The Children Of The Moon", he reinvents DEEP IMAGINATION once again, but remains true to his characteristic electronic-ambient approach.
The story behind the album is that of a friendship that began in the 80s when Thorsten Sudler-Mainz and Achim von Raesfeld formed a gothic band.
When the two old friends make music together again in 2020 after more than 30 years, it rekindles an old fire. Thorsten Sudler-Mainz decides to produce an atmospheric dark wave gothic album. Achim von Raesfeld acts on the guitar and fits into the arrangements as a natural musical partner. The joint guitar playing of the two is merged again, as are the passionate vocals of Thorsten Sudler-Mainz and his partner Ann Kareen Mainz.
The dark romantic songs on "The Children Of The Moon" form a genre album of the New Dark Wave. It seems as if everything is there, but nothing is too much on this authentic work. (BSC Music/Prudence)
Linkfire "The Children of the Moon"
DEEP IMAGINATION interview in EMPIRE music magazine
An interview with DEEP IMAGINATION mastermind Thorsten Sudler-Mainz has been published in the German Empire music magazine issue 5/2023.
With specific questions, cult editor Stephan Schelle explores the current world of DEEP IMAGINATION and the creation of the 6th album "The Children of the Moon", released in 2023.
Thorsten Sudler-Mainz talks about the path to the new work, which is characterized by darkwave and gothic rock, about the contribution of guitarist Achim von Raesfeld and why he has now taken over the lead vocals of his heart project himself.
Interview PDF in english
The interview in German has also been published on the Musikzirkus Magazin website:
http://www.musikzirkus-magazin.de/dateien/Pages/Musiker/interview_thorsten_sudler_mainz_2023.htm
DEEP IMAGINATION story in Orkus Music Magazine
Orkus is one of the big print music magazines in Germany. In the summer issue 2023 a story and review by Claudia Zinn-Zinnenburg about the new album "The Children of the Moon" by DEEP IMAGINATION was published.
"We come from the eighties, after all, and in the end it's like we're still these young guys inside who express a certain idealism through their music," Thorsten begins to explain the title "The Children of the Moon". "It's a metaphor about a musical life and arriving"....
Press commentary on "The Children of the Moon"
"This album is like a black diamond throwing off improbable flashes of Selenite light. A great success to be savoured without moderation." (Prog Censor)
"Dark Wave kisses Goth Ambient... In the course of the album, sound-painting wide canyons full of fantasy, subtlety and dreams open up.... "The Children of the Moon" is a true caress for the ears and soul". (Orkus Music Magazine)
"One has taken the path to New Dark Wave even more clearly.... "Catching the Shadow" brings back memories of The Mission, Killing Joke or even darker gothic rock of the 80s... "Beyond the Rising Sun" is again a very maelstrom-like midnight seance... Hypnotic incantations.(Eclipsed Rock Magazin)
"Dark wave and gothic wistfulness and positive melancholy has a new name: DEEP IMAGINATION." (Saitenkult.de)
"Deep Imagination's "The Children Of The Moon" is great dark wave cinema." (Rocktimes.info)
"DEEP IMAGINATION sets his own mark of atmospheric darkwave." (Terrarelicta)
"On the sixth album of his solo project Deep Imagination, Thorsten Sudler-Mainz has managed to perfectly combine dark wave, gothic and ambient electronic music with western sound and also psychedelic rock." (Musikzirkus Magazin)
"An atmospheric variation of gothic rock with plenty of ambient elements ..." (The Viking in the Wilderness)
"The step to the very greats of the genre is not far or even already taken." (Northern Art Music)
"It's like going back to the days of the British alternative scene and the so-called Batcave scene in London! This deep and dark rock could well serve as meditation, as philosophical or metaphysical music." (Music in Belgium)
"In fact, deep, dark and almost dank as they are, “The Magic Moon” and the aforementioned “The Silence Of Winterland” really do plant themselves in the mind and become unexpected sing alongs in their own enigmatic fashion." (Sea of Tranquility)
"German artist Thorsten Sudler-Mainz strikes back with the sixth full length album of Deep Imagination." (Side-Line Reviews)
"Between The Cure, The Chameleons and Cocteau Twins Deep Imagination once again reactivate the dark colored eighties." (Betreutes Proggen)
"Guitars reminiscent of certain gems from Fields Of The Nephilim. An impeccable production... a refined interweaving of songwriting.... "ambient gothic"... more intriguing than the vast majority of other names in goth or darkwave." (Darkroom Magazine)
"Also sonically, the new CD is once again a feast for the ears.... "The Children of the Moon" is a fine atmospheric release that creates a symbiosis of ambient and darkwave." (Empire Music Magazine)
Northern Art Music | Interview with Thorsten Sudler-Mainz
DEEP IMAGINATION - Documentary 2023 - Part 1+2
On the way to the album "The Children Of The Moon" Deep Imagination are in "Documentary 2023 | Part 1". When in 2020 the two old friends make music together again after more than 30 years, this rekindles an old fire. Mastermind Thorsten Sudler-Mainz decides to produce an atmospheric Darkwave album on which he can let the interplay of the guitars of the 80ties resound once again together with guitarist Achim von Raesfeld.
Documentary Part 1 on YouTube:
Documentary Part 2 on YouTube:
New chapter started
The Video-Single "Find Your Own Way" by DEEP IMAGINATION
The anthemic "Find Your Own Way", which stands for individual decision and freedom, is carried by an atmospheric sound foundation and features DEEP IMAGINATION's typical vocals and timelessly gentle wave guitar sounds. Dead Can Dance meets The Chameleons!
The video on YouTube:
https://youtu.be/TVbz5r19TYc
15questions Interview with DEEP IMAGINATION
Archaic Impulse
An interview with Thorsten Sudler-Mainz aka Deep Imagination has been published on 15questions.net.
The info text there says: "Fifteen Questions is the world's first music magazine about music itself. By talking to some of the leading artists of our time about their perspectives, processes and approaches, we aim to build a comprehensive archive documenting one of music's most turbulent and exciting eras."
In addition to numerous interviews from a wide range of genres, you'll also find ones with artists such as Lisa Gerrard (Dead Can Dance), Tangerine Dream and Moby.
In the interview with Thorsten Sudler-Mainz, an almost closed chronological picture emerges of his 40-year musical development from 1982 to 2022 and of his solo project Deep Imagination, which was launched in 2005.
Fifteen Questions Interview with Deep Imagination
Archaic Impulse
The english version as PDF:
15questions Interview with Deep Imagination
The englisch version at 15questions.net:
https://15questions.net/interview/fifteen-questions-interview-deep-imagination/
